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E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
Hands-on with Southpeak's FPS/RTS hybrid, Raven Squad
click to enter full-screen mode SouthPeak's Raven Squad -- which has dropped the Operation Hidden Dagger subtitle since last year -- has a very interesting concept. Raven Squad, you see, employs a combination of real-time strategy and first-person shooter gameplay. Players take control of two different three-man squads -- two players can also command one squad each when playing online -- as they fight their way through an enemy-infested jungle. The game can be switched from an overhead RTS view to a first-person view at any time, making the game very different from other shooters on the market.
Raven Squad to include online co-op, nothing else [update]
Update: We've just been informed by Southpeak that Raven Squad will also include local co-op but only via system link. So, to recap: Raven Squad will feature Xbox Live co-op and local co-op via system link but no co-op split screen or any versus modes online or off. Phew!After getting a chance to touch Southpeak's FPS gone RTS gone FPSRTS Raven Squad: Operation Hidden Dagger during E3 (that title, wowzaz), we were informed that the game would have absolutely no Xbox Live support whatsoever. A metaphorical death kiss to any new franchise trying to make a name for itself. But now we know that the information was incorrect. We just confirmed with Southpeak that Raven Squad will in fact have Xbox Live co-op support, but no other multiplayer modes beyond that. So, that means no co-op locally and no versus locally or over Xbox Live. Just co-op FPSRTS gaming over Live and locally which, admittedly, is better than no support at all. Right?
Raven Squad to marry RTS, FPS this fall
Hey, you got real-time strategy in our first-person shooter! That's the mantra we could be chanting this fall when SouthPeak and Evolved Games partner to release Raven Squad: Operation Hidden Dagger, a new RTS/FPS hybrid, for the Xbox 360 and PC. Developed by Budapest, Hungary outfit, Atomic Motion, the game will allow players to swap between both real-time strategy and first-person shooter gameplay as they take control of two mercenary squads fighting their way out of the Amazon, the first shots of which can be seen below. However, as interesting as the mash-up sounds, there is an old saying about doing one thing, and doing it well, and we can't help but feel that Raven Squad will be a jack of all trades (well, at least two), and a master of none.%Gallery-26792%
SouthPeak brings Raven Squad to 360 this fall
Actually, that's not entirely true. The full name of the game is actually Raven Squad: Operation Hidden Dagger. No, seriously. That's the title. Silly names aside, Raven Squad sounds interesting, as it incorporates both real time strategy and first person shooter gameplay. No, that doesn't mean it's an FPS with RTS elements or vice versa. Instead, players can actively switch between RTS and FPS modes. Throw in eight different squad members with "distinctive skills and weaponry" stuck behind enemy lines and it sounds like Raven Squad might be a decent game. The game is being developed by Atomic Motion with SouthPeak planning to distribute the title for PC and Xbox 360 this fall.Check out the first screens in the gallery below.%Gallery-26773%
