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'Mercs Inc' officially announced, developed by Pandemic at EALA
This morning's leaked footage, purported to belong to a new multiplayer-capable Mercenaries game called "Mercs Inc," just barely beat EA's official announcement of the (working) title to our front page. In development at EA Los Angeles, the latest toy in the destructive sandbox is paraded underneath the Pandemic banner, held aloft by the "core creative team" that survived the physical studio's recent closure. No target platforms have been announced. According to EA senior VP and group GM, Nick Earl, the swift announcement "demonstrates our continued commitment to Pandemic's rich catalog of intellectual properties." As the press release innocently points out, "Mercs Inc will also be the first Pandemic game" to be released after this December's The Saboteur, the last Pandemic game. Oh, the previous one, we mean.
Rumor: Leaked video shows Mercenaries multiplayer sequel
A leaked video that's rumored to show gameplay of a pre-production, multiplayer version of Mercenaries -- titled Mercs Inc. -- has been unearthed by Bitmob. The project is reportedly in pre-production at EALA, being created by two dozen or so of the Pandemic team that weren't let go when the studio's doors were closed last week. The video features plenty of car-on-car and car-on-dude violence, as well as the extremely rare Triple Teabag, which hasn't been seen since the Ukranian Ice Hurling team's dramatic win over Poland in the 1906 Winter Olympics. It must be seen to be believed, and you can do just that right after the break.
Pandemic closes physical doors, brand lives on
We've got a little more perspective on the closing of Pandemic, which was rumored earlier today. Though the studio will physically close, and the majority of its staff (some 200 people) will be sacked, the brand and IPs (like Mercenaries, Star Wars: Battlefront and The Saboteur) will continue, EA representative Holly Rockwood told Joystiq. Founders Josh Resnick, Andrew Goldman, Greg Borrud will leave the company. A lucky few from Pandemic will continue the studio's work under the EALA roof in Playa Vista, reporting to GM Sean Decker. Here's hoping that those who aren't as fortunate won't have to go too long without work.
EA job listing mentions next-gen project for Boom Blox team
We've heard sly references and seen mysterious job listings indicating that Xbox 360 and PS3 owners would soon know the joy of tower toppling -- however, we've not seen anything as concrete as a recent help wanted ad from EA's Boom Blox team. According to the listing, "our last two titles were Wii-based, but our next titles will be for the next generation." We assume they actually mean the current generation's high definition consoles. Otherwise, whoa, we just confirmed the PS4. This job listing, which was initially discovered by internet detective extraordinaire supererogatory, is supported by two other EA job listings he (or she) previously uncovered -- both of which reference Project Natal or the unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller. Unless the studio is changing directions to work on a motion-controlled Mirror's Edge (which would be unimaginably dangerous on Natal), the odds of an upcoming high-def Boom Blox announcement seem pretty good.
EA announces Command & Conquer 4 (intentionally, this time)
That press release EA linked to yesterday? It's up now, which makes Command & Conquer 4 that little bit more real. Not only that, but everything mentioned in that online survey was also real. This will be the final chapter of the Tiberium series and will feature "persistent player progression and [an] all-in-one mobile base" when it launches in 2010 for PC.Command & Conquer 4 will also feature a co-op mode for the two campaigns, as well as a 5-vs-5 objective-based multiplayer mode, allowing for a new "social real time strategy experience." Aren't those called LAN parties? A new episode of Battlecast PrimeTime, which will be available on July 24, will give more information on the game, and the exclusive reveal of the first cinematic trailer will be shown on GameTrailers TV on July 23.%Gallery-67669%
EA accidentally announces Command & Conquer 4
EA's UK PR team just tweeted an announcement that Command & Conquer 4 is now in development, though the linked press release doesn't seem to exist yet. This seems to us like the result of an itchy trigger (or tweeter) finger. With recent online surveys asking what people would like to see in the next Command & Conquer, we were expecting an announcement sooner rather than later. Still, this is a little earlier than we -- and EA, seemingly -- had expected the announcement to come. We'll update you with more information on the game once the press release becomes available.
Rumor: Command & Conquer 4 could feature persistent RPG mechanics
Well? How about it? If this online survey -- conducted by British marketing firm 2CV -- is to be believed, the next Command & Conquer game could feature "innovative" RPG features, as well as co-operative multiplayer. The survey goes on to suggest that the RPG features will be persistent throughout your entire C&C4 career, with experience points accumulating constantly over successive games, allowing you to unlock new "units, powers and upgrades."The survey also mentions taking control of "the first ever mobile base in RTS games" (guess they didn't play Warcraft 3, then,) as well as a class system, co-op gameplay and 5-v-5 multiplayer. Basically, it sounds like an MMO. Is that what you want from the next Command & Conquer? Be sure to let EA know.Of course, none of these features are confirmed and any number of them could be shelved between now and the game actually being announced. Check out the second screenshot after the break for the full list of potential features.[Thanks Jake!]
Joyswag: 3 Days of Red Alert 3 swag [update]
Update: Winners have been contacted, folks. Congratulations, winners! Good luck next time, non-winners!Is that ... Ric Flair? Why yes, yes it is! And he's signed five glamour shots for five lucky winners who'll also receive the Red Alert 3 Premium Edition for PC, a code to download the recently released Uprising expansion and a sweet Red Alert 3 t-shirt to cap it all off. Here's the stipulation: We need your best faux-facts (a la Chuck Norris) about everybody's favorite wrestler turned FMV actor, Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair. For example, Ric Flair doesn't land, he descends, but, ya know, different than that. After 72-hours have passed, we'll pick five winners at random from the comments section. Here are all the specifics and contest rules, just in case we haven't spelled it out enough for you already: Leave us a comment with your best Ric "The Nature Boy" faux-fact You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) You may enter once per calendar day This entry period ends at 3:00PM ET on Friday, April 3. We'll randomly select five (5) winners at that time to receive: one Red Alert 3 Premium Edition for PC (ARV: $29.99), one Red Alert 3: Uprising download code (ARV: $19.99), one Ric Flair signed headshot (ARV: $10), and one Red Alert 3 t-shirt . Please check your e-mail! For a list of complete rules, click here Feel free to check out the gallery of gameplay screens below in all their glory to drum up some ideas for the contest! And good luck to everyone!%Gallery-43066%
EA, Activision vets put together Game Mechanic Studios
Acetylene torch in hand, three former EALA and Activision employees have welded together Game Mechanic Studios, a new development studio based in Tarzana, California. The company was founded by Jason Alejandre, Jeff Hua and Henry Ji, who together have had their hands in several projects, including multiple games in the Tony Hawk and Medal of Honor franchises as well as EA's euthanized FPS, Tiberium.While nothing specific has been revealed as to what the trio are up to, Joystiq has learned that the company expects to announce its first title, which will be based on an original IP, in the coming weeks. In the meantime, take a look at the blurred screenshot above and let us know what you think it is. Our guess? It's a game about soup. Delicious soup.
Report: EA shuts down Blueprint, Boom Blox sequel carries on
Was it a project? A division? A windowless room in the basement of EA HQ? Whatever "Blueprint" was, it is no more. All corporate employees of EA Blueprint were lost in the recent layoffs, transferred, or simply quit, reports Variety. The somewhat mysterious experiment, known as Blueprint, was established in mid-2007 as an effort to support a development process populated by individuals and small, independent teams working together virtually. Blueprint was best known for striking a deal with Armature, the studio founded by several former Metroid Prime developers, and for managing EA's trio of Spielberg games, of which Bloom Blox was the first.As it turns out, a sequel to Boom Blox is currently underway, spearheaded by original developer EALA. The project is being shaped by many hands, though, co-created from various locations around the world. "Everybody is integrated, regardless of whether they're in the same physical location," an ex-Blueprint employee told Variety. "It's truly the spirit of what Blueprint was going to be."
Red Alert 3 skipping PS3 due to 'exotic and tough' development
Apparently, developing games for the PlayStation 3 is roughly comparable to that one time we pushed a wheelbarrow full of lovely, scantily clad ladies up and down the beach -- "exotic and tough." Speaking to VideoGamer.com, EALA producer Amer Ajami used those words to elaborate on the decision to halt PS3 development of the Hitler-free real-time strategy romp, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. "We actually announced a PS3 version early on but that was when we were still doing a lot of technical exploration of the architecture," explained Ajami. "PS3 is a very powerful system but as you guys know it's very exotic and tough to develop for and our engine really at the time wasn't designed for PS3." Couch commanders need not give up all hope, though, as Ajami notes EA "might go back and do something with the PS3 later on." Also just like that time we pushed a wheelbarrow full of lovely, scantily clad ladies up and down the beach.**We went back to apologize. Gallery: Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
Joyswag: C&C 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) giveaway, Day Five
Our five (non-consecutive) day long Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath Xbox 360 giveaway is at an end. Here's how you could win the one, final copy: To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling us Where in the World Bobblehead Kane is (is that Serra?) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec ... and Serrans) Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day (comment more than once and you'll be disqualified) This entry period ends at 10:00pm ET on Sunday, July 6th. We'll randomly select a winner at that time (please check your email!) For a list of complete rules, click here Oh, and in case you were curious, the last four cities were: Lyon, France (Lyon-Satolas Airport Railway Station); Milan, Italy (Duomo Square); Moscow (Red Square); and Cologne, Germany (Cologne Cathedral).
Joyswag: C&C 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) giveaway, Day Four
Our five (non-consecutive) day long Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath Xbox 360 giveaway continues. Here's how you could win: To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling us Where in the World Bobblehead Kane is (is that Serra?) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec ... and Serrans) Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day (comment more than once and you'll be disqualified) This entry period ends at 10:00pm ET on Saturday, July 5th. We'll randomly select a winner at that time (please check your email!) For a list of complete rules, click here
Joyswag: C&C 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) giveaway, Day Three
Our week-long Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath Xbox 360 giveaway continues. Here's how you could win: To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling us Where in the World Bobblehead Kane is (is that Tetris?) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec ... and Tetris) Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day (comment more than once and you'll be disqualified) This entry period ends at 11:00pm ET on Friday, June 27th. We'll randomly select a winner at that time (please check your email!) For a list of complete rules, click here
Joyswag: C&C 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) giveaway, Day Two
Our week-long Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath Xbox 360 giveaway continues. Here's how you could win: To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling us Where in the World Bobblehead Kane is (is that a train station in the future?) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec ... and the future) Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day (comment more than once and you'll be disqualified) This entry period ends at 7:00pm ET on Wednesday, June 25th. We'll randomly select a winner at that time (please check your email!) For a list of complete rules, click here
Joyswag: C&C 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) giveaway, Day One
Command & Conquer 3 sure has gotten around. The game's most recent expansion – Kane's Wrath – is not only EA Los Angeles's latest console strategy release following Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II and last year's Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, but it's also being released tomorrow. To celebrate, Bobblehead Kane is touring the world all this week, and we're giving away a copy of the game each day. Here's how you could win: To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling us Where in the World Bobblehead Kane is (is that a moon base?) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec ... and the moon) Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day (comment more than once and you'll be disqualified) This entry period ends at 7:00pm ET on Tuesday, June 24th. We'll randomly select a winner at that time (please check your email!) For a list of complete rules, click here
Spielberg's BOOM BLOX to be featured at GDC 2008
The official site for the 2008 Game Developers Conference has revealed that Steven Spielberg's first collaboration with EA Los Angeles with be the focus of a GDC session, revealing the creative process that turned a simple puzzle concept into a full-on Nintendo Wii title. The announcement also reveals the official name of Spielberg's Wii game: BOOM BLOX (that's right, with the caps-lock and everything).The game will be discussed during "Creating Spielberg's BOOM BLOX", a session led by EALA's VP of Creative Development, Louis Castle. Sadly, it doesn't seem like Spielberg himself will be on-hand to discuss the physics-based puzzle game.Check out some early footage of BOOM BLOX from E3 2007 after the break.
Spielberg EA project built for Wii
EA Los Angeles VP and General Manager Neil Young slipped a little tidbit about the studio's trio of Steven Spielberg games to GameDaily in an interview to be published next week. "I can't really share any game details, but recall our original announcements was for three projects. Well, two of those are underway right now in the studio," Young told GameDaily, adding, "The second project is something Lou Castle is producing, one of the great producers in this industry, and that's one of the products we're building for the Wii."Apparently Spielberg pops into the studio for a few hours a week to practice his backhand goad the projects along. Aside from the Wii game, he's spinning one of those "big stories shown through the eyes of a small group." The third project remains a total mystery.
