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007 Legends dev Eurocom lays off remaining staff
007 Legends and GoldenEye 007 developer Eurocom entered administration this morning, with the 42 staff members remaining after last month's layoffs let go. Dean Nelson, from UK business advisory firm Smith Cooper, has been appointed administrator of the company.Eurocom issued a statement to Eurogamer saying that, following pressure from Revenue & Customs, the company decided to file its intention to appoint an administrator in order to allow time to try to save the business. However, contract negotiations with potential clients weren't secured in time, and without enough money to pay its bills, a member of UK business advisory firm Smith cooper was appointed administrator of the company.The full statement from Eurocom is after the break.
007 Legends developers Eurocom staff being cut to 'under 50'
Eurocom, which most recently worked on 007 Legends, experienced massive layoffs today. GamesIndustry received a statement from the developer that it let go of a majority of over 200 employees today."We've fought to try and save as many jobs as possible, but the steep decline in demand for console games, culminating in a number of console projects falling through in the last week, left us with no option," the statement to GI.biz reads. "Eurocom has retained a core staff of just under 50 employees and will be focusing mainly on mobile opportunities moving forward."007 Legends was not well received by critics, with a current Metacritic of 45. Prior to that, Eurocom made the Goldeneye 007 remake and Dead Space: Extraction, which will always hold a special place in Joystiq's heart for giving us Dead Space Girl.
Free Skyfall DLC for 007 Legends hits PSN today
The free Skyfall DLC for 007 Legends drops onto PSN today, while Xbox and PC players must wait until November 20. You'll see in this trailer how it echoes much of the film, now out in cinemas.
007 Legends review: Live and let (this game) die
Remember those scenes in License to Kill where James Bond hacked an office PC using mini-games on his Sony smartphone, massacred 100 henchmen with his custom-configured assault shotgun, bounced his car off some invisible walls, then had a Punch-Out!!-style QTE fist fight with villain Franz Sanchez? Neither do I – but that's how 007 Legends remembers things.Admittedly, such inaccurate adaptations are not entirely to blame for 007 Legends' failings; certain concessions need to be made to create an engaging video game. But the degree to which developer Eurocom and publisher Activision fail to successfully capitalize on any of the crazy action sequences or exotic settings of the five films featured in Legends is astounding. Bond's most memorable moments have been mutated almost beyond recognition to fit the mold of a safe first-person shooter, and the result is a bland, boring mess.%Gallery-162442%
007 Legends PS3 gets exclusive Skyfall characters for multiplayer
Eurocom's re-imagining of select James Bond films, 007 Legends, has some exclusive content on the PS3. MI6 field agent Eve and assassin Patrice from next month's Skyfall film are both playable in multiplayer and have "their own special features and abilities," though the PlayStation Blog post doesn't mention what those features and abilities are, exactly.We contacted Activision for further information on what sets these two characters apart in the 007 Legends multiplayer mode. We'll be sure to update as soon as MI6 command gets back to us.
007 Legends points with its Goldfinger, expects Mr. Bond to die
One of the most famous scenes in Bond's imperiled history, in which he's nearly carved in half by a laser, is the focal point of the Goldfinger-inspired level in 007 Legends, the upcoming first-person shooter that mashes up the secret agent's cinematic conquests. The other five films featured in 007 Legends are Moonraker, Licence to Kill, Die Another Day, the upcoming Skyfall and On Her Majesty's Secret Service. 007 Legends will be launched on October 16 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, and sometime later on the Wii U. %Gallery-165746%
Accio Harry Potter for Kinect demo!
It's time to remember the spell that magically rearranges your living room furniture: a demo of Harry Potter for Kinect is now available to Xbox Live Gold members. If you've forgotten the game's existence, it sweeps players away to a dream world of magic, allowing them to wave their arms and, presumably, lean to the left or right occasionally.Harry Potter for Kinect also has the unique feature of scanning your face right into the game. Alas, as far as we know, there is no "Voldemort yourself" mini-game.
Eurocom intros powerhouse Scorpius laptop, touts more video memory than most desktops
Eurocom has carved out a strange but soft spot in our hearts for its desktop replacement-level laptops -- the insistence on overkill hardware leaves even the vaguely ultraportable Monster packing the kind of power reserved for larger-screened (if also much thinner) counterparts. Nowhere is that too-much-is-never-enough attitude truer than in the just-launched, 17.3-inch Scorpius. While supporting up to 32GB of RAM isn't unique anymore, the Scorpius can optionally carry two of NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 680M graphics chips with the full 4GB of video RAM per piece. That's more graphics memory than the total system memory of some entire PCs, folks. Eurocom can optionally slot in two of AMD's Radeon HD 7970M or step down to a single graphics core, and the usual bevy of processor and storage choices culminates in as much as a quad 2.9GHz Core i7 and four drives. The lowest price that will net a fully functioning Scorpius is $1,793, although we'll admit that it's very tempting to pick that dual 680M option and come out with a $2,857 bill -- not to mention some serious bragging rights with the gamer crowd.
Eurocom Monster 11.6-inch notebook: Ivy Bridge, Kepler, 16 GB RAM, multiple personalities
Mobile gamers and server pros aren't exactly cut from the same cloth, but Eurocom is targeting them both with its Clevo rebadged, 11.6-inch, sub-four-pound Monster notebook. That idea is crazy enough to work, since a fully spec'd model will have an Ivy Bridge Intel Core i7-3920XM processor, 16GB of DDR3-1600 of RAM, a 240GB SSD, 750GB Hybrid drive or 1TB HDD, and on-board NVIDIA GT 650M graphics running at 850MHz. The 1366 x 768 screen might be a touch undersized for gamers, but they could let that slide since the processor can be safely overclocked up to a decent 3.8GHz. As for business pros, the company claims the Monster could be used as a portable server, run multiple VMs of Windows and Linux, or high-end engineering apps like MatLab. As usual with Eurocom, you can configure the system in dozens of ways, including matte or glossy screen, Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge processors and multiple RAM or disk setups. Pricing and delivery dates weren't given, but if it's up your alley, check the PR and your wallet -- or hit up Ned in accounting.
AVADirect and Eurocom laptops hop on the GeForce GTX 680M bandwagon
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 680M has made an impact in Alienware and Origin PC laptops so far. Some of us like our mobile gaming a little more barebones, however, and both AVADirect as well as Eurocom are taking their turn at carrying the graphics powerhouse in portables using heavily customizable, Clevo-made designs. AVADirect's 15.6-inch P150EM and 17.3-inch P170EM, as well as their matching Eurocom Racer 2.0 and Neptune 2.0 brethren, can take advantage of all 1,344 processing cores and that abundant 4GB of RAM. Do brace for a hit to the pocketbook for the sake of that increase in frame rate: although Eurocom is staying quiet early on, AVADirect is charging a $536 upgrade price on top of any given configuration.
WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall
The last time Harry Potter used the magic of Kinect, the results were less than magical. Now, WB and developer Eurocom are bringing the world of Hogwarts to Kinect with a much more "traditional" Kinect experience; minigames. It's called, of course, Harry Potter for Kinect.The game follows the whole Harry Potter saga, with Harry, Ron, Hermione ... and you(r face scanned onto a player-created character!) You'll cast spells with gestures and voice commands, play Quidditch, choose a house, take part in duels, battle against Voldemort, and other Potterly activities.Harry Potter for Kinect will be in stores this fall, where it will sell many, many copies.%Gallery-156178%
Eurocom Racer 2.0 laptop receives Ivy Bridge, offers Radeon HD 7970M graphics
Eurocom calls its Racer 2.0 a small form factor mobile workstation -- by which it means it's a rather sizable laptop, but with plenty of power and decent aesthetics. Known for designing its rigs to be upgradable, the Racer 2.0 is such a recipient, which now offers the Intel HM77 Express chipset and support for both Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge CPUs. It offers a 15.6-inch, 1080p display (in both glossy and matte configurations), which is powered by a 1.5GB GeForce GTX 660M GPU as the basic option. Those desiring even more oomph may opt for the 2GB Radeon HD 7970M, and even those in need of true workstation graphics may select from a lineup of NVIDIA's Quadro GPUs. The four SO-DIMM slots will accommodate up to 32GB of RAM, and it'll even accept two hard drives (in addition to an mSATA SSD), so long as you're willing to fill the optical drive's slot. Naturally, all the upgrades can make the price soar in a hurry, but the base configuration starts at reasonably palatable $1283. Ready to be sold a new laptop? You'll find the PR after the break.
007 Legends: six Bond films shaken, not stirred, into a single game
Activision's new 007 Legends for Xbox and PS3 features a storyline that ties together six classic James Bond films, ending with the new Skyfall (no idea if that one's a classic yet!). Activision has yet to announce which films from the character's 50-year-long movie history will be represented, but we guarantee they'll include tuxedos, girls, and gunfights. We also guarantee it'll be weird that the same guy, at roughly the same age, is taking on missions in the '60s and now.Developed by Eurocom, the new game seems to serve as a sequel to the Wii's Goldeneye 007 and its updated port Goldeneye 007 Reloaded. A single-player mode brings back that game's MI-6 Ops Missions, this time playable from a villain's perspective as well. Multiplayer is also included, in both local split-screen and online competitive modes.007 Legends is due this fall. We just realized, why not tie together seven Bond films for the story? Then the title could have been a nice self-referential pun.
Eurocom Panther 4.0 is the mirror universe's version of an Ultrabook
Eurocom, like its chassis-brethren Maingear and Clevo, just lives to jam over-sized Sandy Bridge E hardware into mumpsy laptops. Find yourself in front of the Panther 4.0 and you'll be staring into a 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 display (you can choose between matte, glossy and 3D) as you work or game away on a choice of GeForce GTX 580M, Quadro 5010M or Radeon HD 6990M graphics kit. There's space for four terabytes of SATA 3.0 storage and 32GB of RAM. It's weighing in at 12.1lbs, so a quick warning to anyone whose muscles have atrophied with excessive Ultrabook usage: it's wise to do some reps down at the gym. When it arrives in March, it'll cost you $2649 for the base model -- from there, you can upgrade as far as your wallet / procurement budget will allow.
Kinect sensor wants to guess astronauts' weight, tell them to hit the space gym
How do you weigh yourself when there's no gravity keeping you down? Well, you can calculate your mass by sitting on an oscillating spring and comparing its standing frequency to your riding frequency (NASA's current method), or you could rig up a Kinect sensor to tell you when you're getting fat. Carmelo Velardo, a Eurocom computer scientist in Alphes-Maritimes, France, is developing the latter option. Working with colleagues at the Italian Institute of Technology's Center for Human Space Robotics, Velardo paired the Kinect sensor's 3D modeling digs with a database of weight to body measurements of 28,000 people -- the resulting system can guess your weight with a 97 percent accuracy. NASA scientist John Charles notes that while the rig works well on the ground, it might hit some snags in space. Microgravity can shift water around in an astronaut's body, changing their density and potentially throwing off the Kinect setup's readings. Still, Charles says the technique "appears feasible," and suggests pairing it with the existing weight measurement tools might "provide insights into changes in body density that might be illuminating." Velardo hopes to test the system in parabolic flight soon. If he succeeds, not even outer space will protect us from the shameful judgment of video game peripherals. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some squat-thrusts to get to.
Deja Review: GoldenEye 007: Reloaded
We're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games. In the eyes of many, the original GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo 64 stands out as much more than a mere game. GoldenEye is a legend with a legacy all its own; one that cannot be substituted or replicated. Of course, that didn't stop Activision from making the attempt in 2010 with a brand new game with the familiar moniker of GoldenEye 007 for the Wii. Mercifully, the publisher made the very wise (and legally mandated) decision to carry the franchise forward in name only. Rather than creating a direct remake of the 1997 classic, they crafted an entirely new experience that was surprisingly original while still feeling classically GoldenEye. The new game featured much of the style of the original while reimagining the story and characters and events in the modern day. GoldenEye 007: Reloaded is the latest attempt to fill in the N64 classic's sizable tuxedo -- this time in high definition. Unfortunately, while Reloaded fits into the right suit, it seems that it's gotten a bit snug.
Goldeneye 007: Reloaded walkthrough takes us through MI-6 mode
A secret agent rarely has any influence over the difficulty of his or her missions, but Goldeneye 007: Reloaded's MI-6 mode gives its kill-licensed professionals that very courtesy. Check out the game's highly customizable missions in the developer walkthrough posted above.
Goldeneye 007: Reloaded wants to prove it isn't an old fogie, so it has dubstep
Goldeneye 007: Reloaded nods to our nostalgia but with better graphics and smoother action sequences in a setting we all played and loved. For precisely this reason, Activision and Eurocom decided to put dubstep in the latest Reloaded trailer. Oh, sorry -- we meant, "For no reason whatsoever." Common mistake. This does make us wonder what the reception would have been to the above video had it released in 1997. Probably a barrage of praise for its industry-shattering graphics, and a lot of muttering about unnecessarily synthesized bass lines and kids these days.
GoldenEye 007: Reloaded media plays on your nostalgia
Remember the hours of fun you used to have swinging around the golden gun, the RCP-90, magnum, laser rifle, Klobb, rocket launcher, PP7 and other armaments in GoldenEye 64? God, the multiplayer trailer for GoldenEye 007: Reloaded sure hopes you do.
GoldenEye 007: Reloaded pre-order bonuses detailed
If you're so committed to GoldenEye 007: Reloaded that you're willing to drop some cash early, you've got several pre-order bonuses to choose from. Three major retailers have their own exclusives, which grant early access to some different game modes and a custom weapon skin. A pre-order at GameStop unlocks Paintball mode for local split-screen and online private multiplayer matches -- fans of the original GoldenEye 007 on the N64 likely remember this as one of the easier unlockables in that game. A GameStop pre-order also ensures "early access into the Classic Conflict Mode" for online public and private matches. Amazon's pre-order bonus is pretty basic (a black Moonraker laser rifle skin), and Best Buy grants early access to Tag and Invisibility modes for local split-screen and private online matches. Tag is a version of the school yard classic where a tagged player is incapable of murdering opponents unless they run up and tag somebody else, while Invisibility mode simply makes everyone invisible. You can pre-order through these three retailers starting today. GoldenEye 007: Reloaded launches on the Xbox 360 and PS3 on November 1.
