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LA Noire DLC 'Nicholson Electroplating Arson Case' outed by Best Buy
LA Noire's first downloadable content pack has been announced unceremoniously in Best Buy's latest ad circular. As seen above, the ad promises that the first 16 customers to purchase the game at any Best Buy midnight launch event will receive a code that will unlock "the first DLC pack," known as the 'Nicholson Electroplating' Arson Case, as soon as it becomes available for download. The fine print notes that every midnight launch location will have a "minimum of 16 Xbox 360 and PS3 codes per store" -- if you're number 17, don't despair. Rockstar has yet to release info on the first DLC pack, and the developer could not be reached for comment as of publishing. [Thanks, Steven]
LA Noire launch trailer is all good cops and grimaces
Being a good cop in '40s-era Los Angeles isn't as simple as sticking to the book. If LA Noire's launch trailer is any indication, detectives will need to rely and relay a lot on his face. Specifically, that look he gets whenever he bites into a lemon.
LA Noire 'Rockstar Pass' add-on spotlighted in Xbox Marketplace release schedule
Microsoft today sent out the release schedule for Xbox Live Marketplace content over the next two weeks (May 10–23). The schedule was posted in the latest edition of the "Xbox Live Newsbeat" press email, which showed next Tuesday's L.A. Noire "In the Spotlight." "In celebration of launch on May 17," the newsletter teases, "take your L.A. Noire experience to the next level and download the 'L.A. Noire Rockstar Pass' add-on." The Rockstar Pass what now? Releasing day and date with the retail game, the 800-point DLC "Pass" is presumably a sort of Project Ten Dollar experiment. It's unclear, however, if it will provide access to the pre-order bonus content (already confirmed to be made available for purchase "at some point after the game comes out") or offer wholly new content to all owners of the game. Perhaps it's a sort of Cerberus Network-like pipeline for delivering new detective cases -- but that's just a guess. The Pass remains a mystery for now, as Rockstar has yet to respond to our request for clarification. Otherwise, the new Marketplace schedule has few intriguing reveals. Besides noting some previously announced dates and several Games on Demand launches, it does list Sega Rally Online Arcade for release on Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday, May 18, for $10. Some pirate-themed deals and the demo of Fable 3 for Windows will also be available next week. Head past the break for the complete schedule. Update [5/18/11]: The due date came and went without the so-called "Rockstar Pass" appearing on the Xbox Marketplace -- and no mention is included in new copies of the game. Rockstar continues to keep mum on the subject.
LA Noire soundtrack (and remixed soundtrack!) coming May 17
Whether you're a fan of jazz standards from the 1940s or totally sick warehouse raves, Rockstar's planning to scratch your itch with the release of LA Noire's soundtrack. Two distinct versions of the score will be released through iTunes alongside the game on May 17: The LA Noire Official Soundtrack, which features original compositions from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World composer Andrew Hale, as well as over 30 licensed jazz numbers from Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and others. LA Noire: Remixed, a six-track EP featuring remixes of said jazz standards by DJs such as DJ Premier, Dave Sitek and Truth & Soul. Of course, we're assuming that we'll be able to listen to said songs while cruising around in-game Los Angeles while we ... wait, had the car radio even been invented back in 1947? We guess we could just lug a Victrola around with us wherever we went, though that might get in the way of all the crime-solving.
Pre-order LA Noire and get $15 credit on Amazon
As is so frequently the case with big, upcoming blockbusters, Amazon has sweetened the pot for anyone willing to lay down a pre-order on LA Noire. Anyone who pre-purchases Rockstar and Team Bondi's cinematic crime drama will also get their hands on a $15 credit for future purchases.
First installment of LA Noire: The Collected Stories posted
The first of eight original short stories in Rockstar's LA Noire: The Collected Stories series has just hit the web. Jonathan Santlofer's What's In a Name? (no relation to our own series, we assure you) tells the story of "a sociopath with high hopes, and a curious knowledge of the Los Angeles underworld. And of a young LAPD detective working to crack the latest murder case to terrify the city." The series, which includes big names like Joyce Carol Oates, revisits some of the "characters and cases in the game." If you'd rather wait until all eight installments are available, "the complete L.A. Noire: The Collected Stories which will be available for download at all major eBook retailers" on June 6th. For your reading convenience, Rockstar is offering a downloadable PDF or, if you find yourself sans-Kindle or iPad, perhaps the web-based reader is more your speed. At a brisk 4100 words, it shouldn't take you long to read it, so you can get back to doing more important things ... like not playing LA Noire for another ten days.
LA Noire's criminal inspirations compiled on interactive map
Rockstar Games and the L.A. Times recently collaborated on a very neat (and yet very upsetting) project -- an interactive map displaying all of the real-life crimes that inspired the plot of Rockstar's upcoming drama, LA Noire. The crimes, all of which took place between January 1 and December 31, 1947, are heavily detailed by the map, with excerpts from news articles about each crime available for your perusal. If you've got a strong stomach, many of the cases prove to be an interesting read. Like, for instance, the one about the acrobat burglars who robbed a store for $2,500 and a few gulps of milk. Or, the one about the wife who "playfully" stabbed her husband in the neck until he died from it. Keep an eye on the map in the coming weeks as the outlet adds even more quirky murders to the list.
LA Noire mysteriously marked down to $45 on Buy.com
Alright, gumshoes, bust out your novelty-sized magnifying glasses and fingerprint dusters -- we've got a heck of a mystery for you today. We've gone ahead and titled this case "The Mystery of How Buy.com Can Afford To Pre-Sell LA Noire For $44.99." Have at it, inspectors!
LA Noire: The Collected Stories bound in eBook form this June
See now, this is confidence. LA Noire's exploration of the seedy, criminal underbelly of a big city through the eyes of a hard-boiled detective is something pretty special in the gaming world. But in books? There are maybe one or two with a similar premise. Just a few. But a crowded marketplace isn't keeping Rockstar from releasing L.A. Noire: The Collected Stories through eBook services on June 6. The anthology collects Hollywood tales from authors like Megan Abbott, Joyce Carol Oates and Jonathan Santlofer that share not only the game's 1940s setting but also some of its characters. If you'd like a taste of what to expect, you can find a sample of Megan Abbott's "The Girl" right here.
Social Club features for LA Noire revealed
Rockstar has announced both the in-game and web-based online Social Club features that will be integrated into LA Noire. Within the game itself, logging into the Social Club will unlock the Chicago Lightning Suit, which can be worn by protagonist Cole Phelps once he becomes a detective. For some unfathomable reason, the suit improves Phelps' accuracy with shotguns and machine guns -- we guess they just don't make them like they used to. Players will also be able to "Ask the Community" when Phelps is interviewing witnesses and suspects. When deciding whether or not someone is telling the truth, Phelps can use Ask the Community to see percentages of what other Social Club members chose in the same situation. The feature requires Intuition Points to use, which Rockstar notes are "in short supply." Again, we're not sure where Phelps acquired his magic, time-traveling, internet-connected notepad, but we suggest everyone just roll with it. Several features are available via the Social Club website, including a 100 percent completion checklist, game statistics and Achievement and Trophy tracking. The site also includes a Case Tracker that allows players to access Phelps' notebook, which contains "virtually everything" that he has jotted down within the game, letting players stay "on the case and connected with [their] investigation" no matter where they are. %Gallery-122494%
LA Noire will let you skip those pesky action sequences (upon repeated failure)
If the bevy of trailers and previews we've seen of LA Noire are any indication, it looks like it might be Rockstar's most cinematic game to date. What about those poor souls who want to enjoy these film-like qualities, but can't manage to virtual-shoot to save their virtual-lives? According to MTV Multipalyer, Rockstar art director Rob Nelson assuaged this group's fears while demoing the game at the Tribeca Film Festival last night, telling attendees that they'll be afforded the option to skip action sequences after failing them two or three times. Nelson explained, "You can skip those action elements and still experience the bulk of the narrative." Can you? We're not exactly sold on the idea. Wouldn't that be like reading a book, and then skipping those pages where the protagonist shoots hundreds and hundreds of dudes?
How Rockstar built 1947 Los Angeles for L.A. Noire
While much has been said about the animation technology used in L.A. Noire, a recent piece from the Los Angeles Times reveals that Rockstar and Team Bondi have expended considerable effort in recreating Los Angeles as it was in 1947. The development team used 1930s era Works Progress Administration maps and topographical information from the US Geological Society to create a city layout. Beyond the city itself, the developers also strove to accurately represent the lives within it. For example, aerial film and photography from the period was used to recreate authentic traffic patterns. Many other factors were researched, from clothing to the levels of smog that were present in 1947. Head over to the L.A. Times site for the full story.
LA Noire crime desk screens are short on desks
Rockstar said it had some new "Crime Desk" screens from LA Noire, but then we looked through the gallery in this feature and found a knife, a boxing ring, a slot machine and plenty of people ... but no desks. What gives? Oh, wait -- we get it. "Crime Desk" refers here not to a literal desk, but to the LAPD's Vice division. That's pretty embarrassing on our part. We might have a little trouble with the in-game detective work.%Gallery-122230%
Latest LA Noire trailer details your career trajectory
The rise from lowly beat cop to member of the Vice Squad will be one fraught with danger, but you're up to the challenge, right? The latest trailer for LA Noire certainly hopes so, as it shows off some exciting details leading up to your big promotion. You've only got a few weeks left! Look lively!
LA Noire to feature PS3-exclusive content, 'Consul's Car Traffic Case'
While catching up on our everyday viewing of The Daily Show on Hulu, we noticed an advertisement for Team Bondi's forthcoming detective drama, LA Noire. According to a note displayed at the end, the "Consul's Car Traffic Case" will only be available in the PS3 version. Though we weren't quick enough with our cameras, a cheetah-like commenter on Rockstar's blog snapped the pic you see above, confirming the case. Red Dead Redemption fans will no doubt remember Rockstar offering similarly exclusive PS3 content in last year's Wild West shooter. As VG247 reports, a Rockstar staffer allegedly told the commenters to "Look for more details on that, coming soon" with regards to the PS3-exclusive DLC, but that comment has since been removed. Either way, with just over a month until the game's official launch, we expect to hear more about the Consul's Car Traffic Case soon. [Thanks, MLC]
Remedy working on new facial animation tech, aiming to overtake LA Noire [update]
Edge recently visited the offices of Alan Wake developer Remedy Entertainment, where the studio is hard at work implementing brand new facial animation technology. Created by lead animator John Root, the system uses motion capture to generate scans of actors (accurate to within 0.02 inches) and encapsulates 64 different facial poses. Root claims those are a basis for every possible human expression. Animators can manipulate faces in real-time rather than rely on canned recordings, and future improvements to the technology may allow them to adjust coloring based on simulated blood flow beneath the skin. The first showcase for Root's kit is a new model of Alan Wake -- a fitting subject, considering he had some trouble with lip syncing in his debut game. Remedy CEO Matias Myllyrinne says Rockstar and Team Bondi has "set a bar" for facial animation, but that the studio wants to push it higher. Further clarifying via Twitter, Myllyrinne complimented LA Noire, saying it remains "the benchmark for emotional characters today." It looks like Remedy doesn't have any hard feelings toward Rockstar for that whole, you know, May 2010 thing.
Red Dead Redemption pre-order bonuses to be offered as DLC, LA Noire bonuses coming 'sooner'
Chances are you didn't reserve and purchase Red Dead Redemption at several different retail locations when it launched last year, because that is something a crazy person would do. If you're missing out on the bonus in-game items offered as pre-order incentives, Rockstar's offering you a chance to complete your collection next week. The Assassin Outfit (which doubles Dead Eye regeneration), Golden Guns Weapon Pack (which increases Fame earned) and War Horse (which is a war horse) are coming to XBLA and PSN next week for 80 Microsoft Points ($.99) a piece. Rockstar apologized on its blog for the time it took to bring these items to market, citing "unanticipated technical delays" as the cause of the hold-up. It seems they've got the kinks worked out -- the same blog post promises LA Noire's pre-order bonuses "should become available as DLC much, much sooner."
Deceit, drugs and detective work come together in new L.A. Noire trailer
Crime and drama are present and accounted for in the latest trailer for Rockstar and Team Bondi's noir crime drama L.A. Noire. So is another well-known addition to the cast: John Noble, who plays Dr. Walter Bishop on Fox's sci-fi series Fringe (and was Denethor in the third Lord of the Rings film). Noble and the rest of the cast are looking better than ever in this new footage that seems to show the game in its most current form -- one in which the characters' facial animation is still fantastic, but looks much more refined (and thus way less creepy). There's probably, oh, a second or two of actual gameplay, but what do you expect ... it's a Rockstar trailer. Investigate it for yourself after the break.
Rockstar's Dan Houser on transmedia and building L.A. Noire
The Hollywood Reporter chatted with Rockstar's Dan Houser at the Tribeca Film Festival (where L.A. Noire is being shown off as an "interactive screening") and he said that, despite all of the attempts at solid transmedia properties recently, "no one has done it very successfully yet." The issue, in his opinion, is that companies are all too often going for money rather than what's right for the medium. "Too often, however," he said, "the aim appears to be to cash-in on the success of a particular game, book, pop singer, website, etc., and that usually produces mediocre results." Houser also said that Rockstar has "explored a lot of movie deals," but wants to stick with games for the moment. He's personally enamored with two genres: The Western, which was explored in Red Dead Redemption, and film noir, which developer Team Bondi plays with in this latest game. Providing some insight into its development, Houser said that his company "employed a massive number of actors in the game –- over 400," along with "hair and make-up artists, a great television director ... and a lot of original costumes, props and other research from the studios themselves" to recreate the golden era of Hollywood. We'll see if Rockstar can make up that virtual fedora budget on May 17.
David Cage: L.A. Noire mocap tech interesting, but limited
Just about every human being that's laid eyes on the eerily accurate visages of L.A. Noire have had roughly the same reaction of shock and awe. Every human being, that is, except for Quantic Dream's David Cage, who spoke to CVG about Team Bondi's mocap process, saying, "I think it's an interesting solution to a problem for now." He later expounded, "Their technique is incredibly expensive and they will never be able to shoot body and face at the same time." Cage revealed that Quantic Dreams is leveraging just that kind of tech for an unannounced title, saying, "We see a huge difference between shooting the face and body separately and shooting everything at the same time. Suddenly you've got a real sense of acting that is consistent." Well, there's our first hint about the studio's follow-up to Heavy Rain: Its characters will have both faces and bodies. Not one or the other, as was the case in Quantic's earlier, far more upsetting game, The Disembodied Faces vs. The Disemfaced Bodies.
