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Crackdown goes gold, demo not so much
Microsoft announced today that Crackdown, the much anticipated sandbox action game (and golden ticket to the Halo 3 beta) has gone gold. In other words, Crackdown has been certified and is ready for production. Microsoft notes that interest in the game is high, citing the game's significant number of pre-orders. While we don't doubt that the game will be a lot of fun, we imagine the high number of pre-orders has something to do with the Halo 3 beta invite. Maybe just a little. Still we're excited to get our hands on the demo, which 360 Fanboy readers will know is not certified yet, and should arrive some time this month. Crackdown is scheduled to hit shelves February 20.Full press release after the break.
Crackdown demo slips through a slight crack
Microsoft PR has informed us that the Crackdown demo has entered the final certification process, but will miss its scheduled release on Thursday. A press release states the delay will only span "several days," but IGN cites several weeks (anytime before the end of the month). The retail version will ship February 20 as expected. Microsoft also confirmed that the demo will not support "jump-in" co-op gameplay, a major feature of the retail version. Instead, players will have to organize co-op games through the demo's pre-game interface -- a slight, but notable nuisance. The demo is set in one of four major gang-held territories and gives players an opportunity to enjoy some of the game's advanced abilities through enhanced leveling. In related news, Buy.com is offering Crackdown, plus Halo 3 Beta invite, for $58.39 (includes S&H). [Via press release]
Crackdown w/ Halo 3 beta for $53.99 (sort of)
Buy.com currently has Crackdown (including a certain beta invite) for the low, low price of $53.99. It's a decent price, sure, but shipping will add $4.40 to the transaction, bringing the total up to $58.39. Still, you'll grab the game (and the beta invite) for a dollar off and tax free to boot. You could certainly do worse. And don't forget, if you're still unsure of Crackdown's non-beta related merits, a demo is expected to drop this Thursday. You can bet we'll be checking it out. How about you?[Via 360-Deals. Thanks, Fargo]
Crackdown achievements: 100 points missing
The achievements for Crackdown have been revealed by Achieve360Points.com. There are currently 43 achievements totaling 900 points -- falling 100 short of the standard 1000. It is assumed that more achievements will be added after the game ships (probably via downloadable content). The achievements in Crackdown mirror the sandbox nature of the game, asking players to do things they were bound to try anyway. One of our favorites is "Car Juggler," which requires you to juggle a car in the air for at least 7 seconds with explosives (like a rocket launcher). Other achievements ask you to perform certain stunts in your vehicles (not unlike some of the Dead Rising achievements), kill gang members in creative ways, or just show off your skills (kill 5 gang members in one jump). We have to admit, we're getting pretty excited about Crackdown. A sandbox game with Live co-op sounds like just what the doctor ordered.And no, there is no achievement for unlocking the Halo 3 beta invite.
Crackdown demo hits XBLM Jan. 18th
Crackdown, the anticipated title from Grand Theft Auto creator, David Jones, is hitting retail shelves on February 20, 2007. On January 18, 360 owners will be able to download a demo of the game from Xbox Live Marketplace. The demo will feature both single-player and online cooperative modes, giving players a chance to experience what Crackdown has to offer. We've been covering as much Crackdown as possible in the last several months -- Joystiq even got a chance to play it -- and we're very excited to give the demo a try.Anyone else raring to get a crack at Crackdown?[Thanks, Tony]
Joystiq gets a crack at Crackdown
The dapper gentlefolk at Joystiq recently got a chance to play the latest from GTA creator, David Jones, Crackdown. You may recall that we brought you a super great video of the game recently. So, go watch that video and then come finish this article. We'll wait ... and ... good. So, the question is, of course, did Joystiq find the game fun? The answer is yes. Crackdown is a sandbox game with a heavy bent towards action. As Joystiq puts it, "the game's frenzied pace doesn't pause for soul-searching or deep social commentary; gamers will pick it up for its action, not nuance." Naturally, we can't speak for everyone (though we do try), but that sounds like our kind of sandbox game. The co-op in particular sounds like a great way to spend time with a buddy over Live, just tearing around the city doing whatever you want. Rest assured, we're keeping our eye on this one. Hit the read link to check out Joystiq's hands-on with the game. It's chock-full of information and pretty, pretty pictures.
Crackdown video is explode-a-rific
We spent some time earlier today describing Crackdown's gameplay. It's sort of a GTA meets RoboCop concept. But why bother with words when you can actually see it in action? As we noted, many people will not look past the graphics when it comes to Crackdown. It's a stylistic choice, and one that Crackdown may pay for when it finally gets reviewed, but you'd be hard-pressed to say the game doesn't look entertaining. With transforming super cars, rocket juggling, and more explosions than you can shake a stick at, Crackdown looks like it will be a nice fix for action fans. Check out the video after the break (grab the HD version here).
Crackdown gameplay, co-op explored [update 1]
Crackdown, from GTA creator Jason David Jones, is an interesting game. Go find an interview with a Microsoft executive and find the part where he is inevitably asked what 360 games he is looking forward to. Crackdown is almost always on that list. And yet, if you read internet chatter, the first thing out of many people's mouths is, "this game looks like crap." Whether or not you can deal with the (slightly) cel-shaded graphics, one thing remains clear: the game sounds like a lot of fun. Shacknews recently got a chance to sit down with the game, exploring both the single player game and co-op. Crackdown places players in the shoes of an agent, a genetically enhanced super soldier deployed in Los Muertos, a city where regular law enforcement just doesn't cut it anymore. The ultimate goal is to remove all the gang activity from the city -- destroying 21 gang leaders to do so. The game has no set, linear way in which to reach this goal, but does employ some MetroidVania style impediments to point players in a suggested direction. For instance, if you don't have high enough agility to jump over a certain wall, you probably aren't ready to deal with what's on the other side. Of course, there are multiple ways to reach a given destination (including vehicles that drive up walls). Players will slowly gain new abilities as they level up the game's five skills: agility, firearms, driving, explosions, and strength. Firearms and explosions are self-explanatory. Agility governs how high you can jump -- over buildings once it's high enough. When leveled up, strength will allow you to throw cars and other huge objects at deserving miscreants and thugs. Driving, curiously, affects what sort of badass machine your Agency car morphs into.Co-op, always a welcome feature, allows you and a friend to join up online and take down kingpins together. Of course, you could just shoot each other, but where's the fun in that?Update: The name of GTA's creator is David Jones, not Jason Jones. Jason Jones is the co-counder of Bungie. Guess I have Halo on the brain.[Via Evil Avatar]
Moore: Too Human, Crackdown, Forza 2, Shadowrun by end of June
Speaking with MTV's Stephen Totilo, Peter Moore promised that Crackdown, Forza Motorsport 2, Shadowrun, and Too Human would all see release by the end of June 2007. While Shadowrun's debut has always hinged on the availability of Windows Vista (FASA's game is cross-platform), the other three titles were once expected to round out Xbox 360's exclusive holiday lineup this year. As it goes, Gears of War and Viva Piñata will have to convince shoppers to pass on PlayStation 3 and Wii -- or shortages will. Still, with PS3 likely in short supply early next year, Microsoft has an opportunity to attract potential consumers with well-timed releases throughout the tail end of winter, leading into summer. But don't be surprised if a few of these exclusives continue to slip, landing alongside Master Chief in next year's holiday release batch.
Crackdown: more than meets the eye
Okay, so, we've seen some Crackdown videos before. We've seen thugs get shot. We've seen them juggled maliciously with a rocket launcher. What we haven't seen is the video above. It seems that all cars of the future are capable of pimping themselves, much to the chagrin of the jobless, future Xzibit. Also, for a supercop, this guy sure runs down a lot of civilians.
Crack open some new Crackdown videos [update 1]
We received some fresh Crackdown videos yesterday. The first of the pair (seen above) demonstrates mass carnage with a rocket launcher. For a supercop, this guy seems to destroy a lot of civilian property. The end of the video is especially brutal, as some poor thug gets rocket juggled into the stratosphere. The second video showcases a gun battle inside a villa -- presumably owned by some nefarious drug lord in a white suit. Check it out after the break. Update 1: Embedded second video after the break.
