Quantum of Solace
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Joystiq hands-on: Revisiting the Quantum of Solace
Skep·ti·cism (skpt-szm) n. A doubting or questioning attitude or state of mind; dubiety. Philosophya. A methodology based on an assumption of doubt with the aim of acquiring approximate or relative certainty. The rational and historically-proven assumption that any licensed game will suck. Lots. Seriously, have you played half of this stuff? As they prep the World for War, Treyarch has been quietly plugging away at the upcoming licensed title James Bond: Quantum of Solace. Powered by the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare engine, QoS blends scenes from the first Daniel Craig Bond film -- Casino Royale -- and the anticipated upcoming sequel of the same name. We spent some time with Bond at the recent Sony Holiday event in Toronto, Canada. Since our last trial with the game, did Bond change our definition of skepticism?%Gallery-26648%
Sony's 'Quantum of Solace' VAIO laptop revealed as expensive, deadly
Someone over at Gadget Review has finally got their hot hands on the James Bond Quantum of Solace laptop -- and contrary to reports, it hasn't exploded, shot poison darts or been used to defuse a bomb... yet. Believe it or not, this machine isn't actually a piece of high-tech spy gear -- it's a garden variety Sony Z series with the usual kit: Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 128GB SSD or 320GB hard drive, 3G connectivity, 4GB RAM, 13.3-inch LED backlit LCD, fingerprint reader, Motion Eye camera and Blu-ray drive. This piece of cinematic history will be limited to 700 units, and it's expected to set you back a cool $4,000 -- but hey, check out that 007 logo! If that doesn't get you some action, nothing will. This babe / danger magnet ships at the end of October, we suggest employing Odd Job to help you nab one.
Sony reveals limited edition 007 VAIO TT, USB Micro Vault and Reader Digital Book
In a move to pump up the impending theater debut of Quantum of Solace, Sony is simultaneously opening up a new promotional game and introducing a few new pieces of limited edition gear. Obviously, we're a touch more concerned with the kit than the game, so we'll skip over those details and head right to the meat of it. The outfit will be offering up 100 limited run VAIO TT laptops that are emblazoned with a 007 logo on the palm rest and a matching leather protection case. Additionally, a Special Edition Bond bundle for the Reader Digital Book will feature an embossed cover with a 007 logo and coupon codes for free downloads of Ian Fleming's novels Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Lastly, we've got the 007 USB Micro Vault in 8GB and 16GB flavors, both of which come pre-loaded with the Quantum of Solace trailer and other miscellaneous "bonus content." Wild guesses as to price / release dates are being accepted now.
Quantum of Solace still looks suspiciously good
It doesn't make any sense! A movie tie-in isn't supposed to look this good or get us this excited but Quantum of Solace is achieving in both respects. Developed by Treyarch and riding on the coat-tails of the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare engine, the latest James Bond adventure is set to release before the film on November 4. This behind the scenes trailer looks at some of the environments that gamers will experience in the game which takes place in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Excited? Yeah, us too. It feels ... strange.
Trophies: Quantum of Solace
We were going to try and fit as many Bond-isms into this opening paragraph as we could. Things like "this trophy list is for your eyes only," or "destroy this list after reading." That seems unnecessary, however, considering how chock-full of Bond goodness these Trophy names are. Quantum of Solace really surprised us when we played it. Could the first Bond game with Trophies be the first good title since Goldeneye? View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal
Quantum of Solace granted on Nov. 4, pre-order nets map pack
Suave super spy James Bond will live and let buy on November 4th, with the release of his Q-riously named movie tie-in, Quantum of Solace. Coming from Treyarch -- with love -- to every platform ever, the 007 shooter puts you in the potentially exploding shoes of the new(ish) franchise frontman, Daniel Craig, and tasks you with saving the world, swirling martinis and bedding duplicitous dames. Indeed, with the game featuring several flashbacks to Casino Royale, it seems someone definitely understood that our demands are for Eva. Activision has also announced that those who pre-order the game from GameStop will receive a download token, redeemable for a forthcoming multiplayer map pack. In addition to "a variety of classic modes," Quantum of Solace will grant you a view to a team kill in several modes, including "Bond Versus," "Bond Evasion," and "Golden Gun." Note that this bonus applies to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions -- this isn't the spy who loved Wii. Alright, no more idiotic puns and references. We've got to save some for next year, you know.%Gallery-26648%
Quantum of Solace gets shaken, not stirred Nov. 4th
Activision has announced that James Bond: Quantum of Solace will be hitting North American shelves on November 4th. Those who pre-order James Bond: Quantum of Solace will recieve a token to download a multiplayer map pack that will be available "post-launch." The offer is only available to those who pre-order at GameStop. It looks like Activision will be offering a $70 collector's edition of Quantum of Solace as well, though there are no details as to what it contains above and beyond the $60 standard edition.For those who scoff at a free map pack, Best Buy is offering $10 off any James Bond DVD to those who pre-order Quantum of Solace.
Activision-Blizzard plans yearly Bond games
Variety continues to dig through yesterday's "analyst day" presentation by Activision-Blizzard brass, but has already uncovered a number of "ah-hah"-worthy tidbits. This one includes the number 7. 007. As in James Bond, who, according to the company, will star in yearly Bond franchise titles from the company – currently working on Quantum of Solace, built on the Call of Duty 4 engine – whether there's a new Bond movie release to tie them in with or not.Specific genres, systems, and developers weren't mentioned, but this very aggressive business model would likely target as many game types and platforms as possible to reap maximum rewards from the risks taken. As Variety's Ben Fritz points out, this strategy could turn south rather quickly should Quantum of Solace not live up to gamer – and, more, importantly sales – expectations.
Joystiq interview: Quantum of Solace's Adam Gascoine
It's so easy to assume that Quantum of Solace is going to be just another rushed license game (even Daniel Craig did!). But after having sat down with a couple of the game's levels (full hands-on coming later), it's easy to see that this is one of Activision's strongest games of the 2008 lineup. We had a chat with the co-design director, Adam Gascoine, about the game and its development.Quantum of Solace is the first Bond game to be released alongside its movie counterpart. Has this impacted development? Were you rushed?We were worried about being rushed when we started the project, but thankfully we have a very solid relationship with the movie team. We were one of the first to see the script for the movie, plus we've been able to visit the sets and watch some filming several times now. All this made it a lot easier. We've been developing really since Casino Royale, about two and a half years in total, so we've had plenty of time to develop the game. Parts of the game are reminiscent of Uncharted. Was this a particular inspiration during the development of Quantum of Solace?Any good game is definitely an inspiration. I loved Uncharted. I played it twice. Parts of that game may well have influenced design decisions we made during development, just like any of the great 2007 titles. In particular, though, the quality of animation in Uncharted was definitely an inspiration.%Gallery-26648%
Joystiq hands-on: Quantum of Solace
This hands-on report is based on the Xbox 360 version of the game, though the developers assure us that the PS3 version will be almost completely identical.While I may not be the biggest Bond fan, and only watched Casino Royale because the Blu-ray came free with my PS3, Quantum of Solace was probably the most interesting game in Activision's Leipzig lineup. Going in with very few expectations and, to be honest, little interest in the title, I was impressed and intrigued with what I saw. It's easy to dismiss QoS as just another licensed movie game that will inevitably suck, but that's certainly not the case here.The first section of the game that I played was set in the sewers of Sienna, where I'm chasing someone (the developers weren't allowed to say who). The first thing you notice about the game is that the environments are gorgeous. For the most part these have been lovingly recreated from reference photos taken on the set of the movie, so they'll look identical to the film. As a result they're incredibly detailed and, in parts, colorful.The controls are both solid and fluid (if that's even possible!), leaving you to worry about what's going on on-screen, and not in your hands. Thanks to various set pieces throughout the level, you feel like you're interacting with the environment, rather than restricted by it. Everything feels a little less static and rigid when you're jumping over railings, falling through rotting wood and clambering over mounds of earth. Even if they are sometimes scripted. %Gallery-26648%
Quantum of Solace has Zapper support, online multiplayer
For those of you who've been tracking Quantum of Solace over at The Stiq, you know that most of the worthwhile things to discuss about the game have come from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. Well, it would appear that Activision isn't leaving Wii owners out to dry, as some cool features are being utilized in the Wii version of the title. For one, there will be multiple control schemes. Gamers can use the tried-and-true Wiimote and Nunchuk setup, or they can bust out their Zapper and play with that. On top of that, Activision has also confirmed the game will feature online multiplayer, as well as 4-player split-screen local multiplayer, which is exclusive to the Wii installment.Activision is also hard at work to make sure the game is no graphical slouch. Seeing as how the engine behind the game is the same used in Call of Duty 4, we're sure Quantum of Solace will have some lovely visuals.
Craig, Dench on board for Quantum of Solace game
We're happy to report that when James Bond returns to video games this fall with Quantum of Solace he'll be voiced by our new favorite 007, Daniel Craig. But we're a little worried about how we're going to focus on the game when our undies continue to spontaneously drop to the ground, coaxed off by Bond's baritone brogue! The game will also feature Judi Dench as M and new additions Mathieu Amalric and Ukrainian actress Olga Kurylenko.... Listen, did we type that part about our undies dropping out loud? No? OK, thank goodness.
Bond fans have different perspectives on different perspectives
Poor James Bond. The guy's been passed around so many times by so many companies that no one seems to know what to do with him any more. Activision was so open to ideas that they actually surveyed fans on what perspective they'd like to see in the next double-o adventure.According to MTV, the community was divided, with 60 percent wanting a first-person view and 40 voting third-person. We know how Activision responded (including both perspectives in Quantum of Solace), but we're curious how you will: Is your perfect Bond game through the agent's eyes ... or the back of his head?%Gallery-26648%
Latest Bond to feature Titanium Sony Ericsson C902 -- Q would have done better
It's Bond time again and that means the inevitable glut of merchandising tie-ins. First out of the gate is a limited edition Titanium silver Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-shot which does the honor of promoting the release of the latest 007 exploit dubbed Quantum of Solace. Besides the color, 007-themed wallpapers, screen savers, and "spy-style" game demo, the C902 slider that actor Daniel Craig will sport during the November theatrical launch is just like the C902 launched way back in February. Oddly enough, no pictures of the new 007 model were provided by Sony Ericsson in the announcement. Fitting though, given Q's disquieting absence from the film we weren't expecting much. SE could certainly learn a thing or two from Nokia about effective product placement.
Six James Bond movies due on Blu-ray in October spec'd, priced
More info on all six of the James Bond pictures coming to Blu-ray October 21 is finally available, the individual discs of Dr. No, Die Another Day, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only, From Russia With Love and Thunderball will carry a pretty standard $34.98 MSRP, or as two separate volumes of three with an $89.98 SRP. The special features and 4K Lowry transfers seen in the Ultimate Edition Bond DVDs return here, so if you've already got those the net benefit is 1080p and possibly better sound (and a Quantum of Solace movie ticket), although it wasn't specified. Still, if you're awaiting the best looking home editions of these Bond movies yet there's no doubt these are the ones you're looking for.
Treyarch's James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace in motion
Utilizing the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare engine, James Bond returns to gaming in James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace from developer Treyarch. Shown off at Activision's non-E3 press conference, Quantum of Solace takes place within the story of both Casino Royale and the upcoming Bond film of the same name. Starring new Bond, Daniel Craig, the game is presented in a first-person perspective but uses a cover system that snaps to a third-person view -- a la Tom Clancy's Rainbox Six Vegas style. Surprisingly (because it is based on a license) the game looks fantastic and we can't wait to see more. James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace hits shelves this November.
Quantum of Solace screens look pretty bad
Yep, pretty much. Bond games have never lived up to the astronomical heights of GoldenEye 007, and we weren't really expecting a DS game to pull through and take the crown. Action games in general aren't the best for the touchscreen -- but we want to be proven wrong. Will Daniel Craig's portable outing be an exception to the laws of crappiness? Unnnnnlikely.Using your keen spy senses, examine the gallery and predict the fate of Quantum of Solace. The movie will be undoubtedly cool, but that might be all we can hope for.%Gallery-27829%[Via press release]
See Quantum of Solace in action
After the glut of James Bond games earlier in the millennium, we'll admit it: We got spoiled. Now, after a long absence and a changing of hands, the Double-OG is back and we can't help but wonder: Does this Quantum of Solace gameplay video really look as good as we think it does?Because we're going to be honest: It looks really good to us. The Daniel Craig model is spot on, the destructible environments are solid and the Call of Duty 4 engine is under the hood. We're stirred ... and a little shaken. Are you as excited as we are? Or are we just in denial?
Joystiq interview: Treyarch's Jeremy Luyties on James Bond
During out whirlwhind tour through the new Quantum of Solace game, we were able to spend a few minutes speaking with Treyarch's Jeremy Luyties, who serves as design director on the title. Luyties has worked on everything from Return to Castle Wolfenstein to Call of Duty 3 to the heavily Bond-influenced classic No One Lives Forever. Find out what secrets he spilled about the new Bond title after the break.%Gallery-26648%
See Bond run in Quantum of Solace: The Game screenshots
click to enlarge You can't tell much from one lousy screenshot so we thought we'd share the following eight screens, recently declassified by Activision. Want to see how the Call of Duty 4 engine looks powering the first-person slash third-person Bond title Quantum of Solace? Here you go. Uninterested in pretty pictures, just want to read words about the game? Well, we've got you covered there too. %Gallery-26648%
