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WoW looks to the future as Blizzard stocks surge
Blizzard might be weathering the sting of a 600,000 subscriber loss in World of Warcraft this quarter, but the studio's separation from Vivendi could be the salve to soothe the hurt. Following the news that Activision Blizzard is buying back shares to take away Vivendi's controlling stake, stocks have surged 18% in pre-market trading this morning. Baird Analyst Colin Sebastian says this is nothing but good news: "This looks like a win, win, win for Vivendi and Activision shareholders. It's a better outcome than a special dividend to Vivendi, and I expect Activision will function even better as an independent company without the overhang of a struggling parent." Blizzard is also taking steps to counter its subscriber drop. VentureBeat reports that the studio has increased its WoW development team, "lowered the barrier" for returning players to catch up to friends, and created an in-game proving ground so players can learn to heal or tank. We also have word that a new buff-centric class is being considered, although no specifics have been revealed.
Duke Nukem Trilogy for PSP 'more mature, more hardcore'
Despite the ... unique trailer featuring logos dancing around, Apogee insists they won't screw up the ultimate badass' return in the upcoming Duke Nukem Trilogy games. Terry Nagy, CEO of Apogee Software, gave some details about the newest outing of the Duke on the PSP. He started off by stressing immediately that the game will be out for summer 2009, unlike a certain other Duke Nukem game. With the trilogy, Apogee's plan is to have "another Duke game ... on the store shelves as the first one is starting to fall off the shelves." The first game Critical Mass will take place in the future, so the player will have "really cool futuristic weapons" at his disposal. Chain Reaction is set in current times while Proving Ground has Duke traveling back into the past to 1945 as "the Forrest Gump of World War II" and using "period-style weapons." Finally, Nagy reveals that the PSP version is "more mature, more hardcore of gamer, third-person, first-person, top-down scroller type of stuff" and that it is aiming for a Mature rating, as opposed to a Teen rating on the DS. We aren't too optimistic about this game, but then again we've seen basically nothing. Either way, we would avoid the DS version, not because we are fanboys at all, but because Duke himself would never be caught dead playing a Teen game.[Thanks, David B.!]
Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk getting in-game ad treatment
Anyone who's spent even a little time rocking out to Guitar Hero III has likely noticed the game's heavy-handed approach to product placement, with stages littered with cans of Red Bull and billboards hocking everything from Axe Body Spray to Pontiac. The whole thing feels oppressive and graceless as even the game's underground rock venues are reduced to feeling like props to corporate shilling. And things are likely to get worse before they get better, as Activision today announced that it has inked a deal with Microsoft-owned Massive to provide in-game ads in not only Guitar Hero III, but Tony Hawk's Proving Ground as well. The two titles have been added to the growing Massive Network advertising collective, which also includes Activision's Transformers adaptation, and will made to include "contextually relevant" dynamic ads. Interestingly, it's unclear if this partnership extends to all versions of the affected (afflicted?) games, or just those for Microsoft's console. What is clear, however, is that as games are now a big business, more and more companies are beginning to get in line for their slice of the money pie, and while game companies and advertisers reap the benefits of this arrangement, gamers are left holding the controller wondering just when their games became interactive commercials.
Fanpoll: skate vs. Proving Ground
It's been a long time since we took a Fanpoll around here, and it's high time we start doing it again. What better way to start than to pit the video game skateboarding champ versus its newest rival? With the release of skate, many skateboarding fans have found themselves grinding right past Tony Hawk's Project 8. Well, Tony's back with Proving Ground, which just released today. So, here's our question to you, which game is better, Proving Ground or skate? Give us your feedback in the poll after the break. We'd prefer if you only answer once you've actually tried both games, but there's not exactly much we can do to stop you.
Gun sequel announced via poster in THPG demo?
In what could be considered the weirdest game announcement ever, Joystiq has discovered that there is a Gun sequel poster hidden inside the newly available Tony Hawk's Proving Ground demo. The poster, as seen in the screenshot above, depicts what looks to be a Gun sequel called Gun: Magruder's Ghost featuring the cliche tag line "Even from beyond the grave". So, we're left wondering if this is a real Gun sequel announcement or if those artists over at Activision like messing with our heads and find it to be a funny easter egg joke. We find it a little odd but plausible that Gun: Magruder's Ghost would be announced this way, so we'll leave it up to you to make the call to what this all means. And if you're one of those fanboys who doesn't believe picture evidence, instead needing to experience it for yourself, then this is how you find the poster. Simply fire up your newly downloaded THPG demo, head down the beginning hill until you spot a large staircase on your left. You'll be able to see the poster on top of said staircase.
Today's which-one-is-evil comparison: Skate versus Tony Hawk
We've played Skate, and we've seen Tony Hawk's Proving Ground. Today's video picks compare the latest trailers for both games.Admittedly, we think the two titles can coexist, at least for this year. Skate is a completely different control experience, while Tony Hawk is the latest in a solid franchise. We can see both games appealing to different -- or even the same -- gamers.And we're glad Skate is here to keep Tony Hawk honest. Do we really expect a 1.0 game to dethrone Tony Hawk-we-stopped-counting-version-numbers? Maybe not, but competition should make them both stronger.See the new trailers after the break.
Video: Proving Ground is all about choices
"Life is about choices. They define who you are. Each path, every turn. It's your decision. That's what it's all about." Believe it? Well, that's what the main theme in the debut trailer for Tony Hawk's Proving Ground is all about, choices. You'll be able to create a skater that reflects the kind of person you want to be, whether you're going for the rockstar mystique or just doing it for the pain. It's an interesting concept, but the gameplay footage doesn't look all that graphically impressive. Give the trailer a watch and consciously compare what Mr. Hawk has to offer with EA's Skate. What are your thoughts?
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground unveiled, apathy ensues
Tony Hawk ... the franchise that just won't lie down and take a nap. Every month or so we get a new trick from this franchise and, frankly, we're tired of it. When the announcement rolled in about the new Tony Hawk's Proving Ground we smirked and thought to ourselves: "yes, this is a proving ground to see if you're a viable gaming franchise, still." Other than that, complete apathy.Anyway, this new title to be released on the PS3 and 360 sports some revamped multiplayer, video editing, new modes (Nail-the-Trick was named), and a class system. Class system? For skaters? What, will one guy be pumping out buffer chants while the tank skater takes on the big tricks? Or will there be a homeless skater next to a sharp-looking business executive skater? We are interested to see how the multiplayer is changing and how in-depth the video editing tool will be. We'll keep you posted as information becomes available.
Prove yourself in new Tony Hawk title
Has your appetite for new-gen skateboarding games not been whetted by clips from Electronic Arts' Skate? Activision has just sent out a press release unveiling the latest Tony Hawk game, entitled Proving Ground.New features with full-featured editing tools and visual effects for creating "epic skate videos," a customizable Skate Lounge where you and friends can skate around together, and seamless single player and online integration. There will be skateable terrain altering and more Nail-the-Trick moves.Proving Ground is slated for release later this fall for Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PS2 and Nintendo DS. GamePro is dedicated their next issue to the game. Has anyone already received their copy of the issue in the mail?%Gallery-3120%[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
