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Web sight: All four Shattered Dimensions Spider-Men in action
In case your Spider-Sense hadn't already alerted you to the fact, all four of the Spider-Men playable in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions have finally been revealed. (Peter Porker, a.k.a. Spider-Ham was, sadly, not among them.) We've even taken the fourth and final dimension -- the Ultimate Spider-Man universe -- for a spin (and a swing) at San Diego Comic-Con. Now you can see all of the Spideys and their respective dimensions together in one video. We know, convenient, huh! See, we're all about the efficient delivery of Spider-Man information here at Joystiq. And, er, other stuff too, of course. But for now we're just focusing on Spideys plural. See 'em after the break.
Activision confirms final Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions cover
GameFly has proven that the speed of a game rental website exceeds the proportionate speed of a radioactive spider. The website posted the final box art for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions well in advance of next week's Shattered Dimensions Comic-Con panel, which is expected to provide the "official" reveal of the game's fourth universe. Activision confirmed to Joystiq that the box art image is authentic. There's still plenty of info to reveal at that panel, however. The newly revealed, fourth version of Spider-Man (pictured on the far right) looks like he's wearing the famous (infamous?) black "symbiote" costume, which raises questions about which "universe" it represents in the game. In the comics, the Secret Wars storyline that resulted in Spider-Man's acquisition of this costume took place in the normal "Earth-616" Marvel Comics continuity, which is already one of the game's revealed dimensions. (The other two are the Noir [Earth-7207] and Marvel 2099 [Earth-928] universes.) It's possible that this probable symbiote costume is the version from the Ultimate universe, which would qualify as a separate universe and fulfill the game's multidimensional gimmick. Check out the full box art after the break, while we ponder the biggest question brought on by this reveal: When did we learn so much about Spider-Man comics?
Copyrighted characters dominate ModNation Racers' top creations
Give gamers creation tools, and they'll immediately recreate icons from other famous franchises. Like LittleBigPlanet before it, ModNation Racers' extensive character and car editor has been used to pay homage to a number of high-profile games and films -- and these creations are the most beloved by the MNR community. In addition to Peto-Mad's Mario (above), the top downloaded creations include Iron Man, Spider-Man, and a Transformer to boot. The accuracy of these creations have us wondering: will Sony take these user-submitted Mods down before another company threatens a lawsuit?
Super Hero Squad Online: No more "nameless sidekicks"
These days, it takes a lot to impress me. Oh sure, I love MMOs. But sometimes I feel I'm in a rut, waiting for something new and different. Something that doesn't just have a "new" sticker, but actually has some new hook that will keep me happily playing -- not grinding -- more than a month. Something that will make me feel good about being a gamer again. Something cute and friendly that actually relieves stress rather than creating more. That's why I was so surprised by Marvel Super Hero Squad Online, the official premiere of which I was lucky enough to attend yesterday in downtown San Francisco. (The folks at Gazillion Entertainment and The Amazing Society put on a great show!) I certainly didn't walk into the event expecting SHSO to pique more than my passing fancy. Comic book-themed games are definitely something I love, and Marvel couldn't be hotter right now, but let's be honest -- SHSO's press release and early screenshots suggest an overtly family-friendly, even kid-oriented, cartoony romp. I figured the game would be Free Realms in capes, and that Massively's readers would probably be more interested in the other Marvel MMO (simultaneously in development by Gazillion with Gargantuan Studios). Well, I'm pleased to report that my preconceptions about Super Hero Squad Online were mostly wrong, and now I've got a new upcoming game to add to my "gotta buy" list. Join me on the flipside of the break and find out why SHSO seems poised to *POW* *ZAP* *BLAMMO* the casual MMO sweet spot!%Gallery-93313%
Marvel Super Hero Squad Online revealed
Marvel fans, rejoice, your one shining MMORPG moment has been officially announced. Gazillion Entertainment today unveiled Super Hero Squad Online, which gives players the ability to master the talents of Marvel universe notables including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, War Machine, and more. "Everyone who has wanted to be Silver Surfer, Wolverine, Captain America or any of the amazing Marvel heroes and villains will find the game has something for them," stated Jason Robar, Vice President and Studio Manager for The Amazing Society, the Gazillion subsidiary responsible for development of the title. In addition to combat gameplay and the ability to don the tights of your favorite anti-hero, Super Hero Squad Online will feature social spaces and customization options. "You'll swing through Super Hero City as Spider-Man or zap the bad guys with Cyclops' optic blasts in high-voltage missions. Or you can just hang out in a high-energy, immersive world filled with other Marvel fans," said Creative Director Jay Minn. Watch the official website for more details, and be sure to catch the teaser trailer debut this Friday, May 14th, at 12:30am on SPIKE's GameTrailers TV.
Warcraft movie update: Metzen says "still getting it together"
It's been months since we've heard a peep on the Hollywood news lines about the Warcraft film or director Sam Raimi. When Spider-man 4 was canceled in January, there was speculation that Raimi might be headed to the Warcraft film next. A month later, we reported a rumor that Raimi's next project might not be Warcraft, but a film adaptation of The Shadow. Seeing as Sony let the rights to the film lapse in March, it doesn't sound like The Shadow is in any state of serious development; but it does raise the question of what exactly is Raimi up to right now? While we still have no exact answer to that, Chris Metzen gave us a small update on the film in an interview over at vg247 published yesterday. When asked if a considerable amount of time was being spent on the movie, Metzen replied, "I wouldn't say "considerable" at all just yet. We've been through a number of story meetings, and we're still kind of getting it together with Raimi and his team and jamming on themes that we want to chase." Sadly, the interview didn't reveal many specifics, but Metzen responded favorably when asked if he was concerned about dissappointing Warcraft fans: "Nobody wants to screw it up: we all want to hit it hard and have it be something that is as resonant and canonical as it can be. But given what Warcraft is, with all these moving parts, we're going to have to take some liberties here and there. I'm under no illusions about that fact ... " It's hard to draw any new or concrete conclusions from the interview, but it's good to see that the movie is still being talked about. WoW.com will keep you updated as we learn more.
DDO releases zombified Update 4 patch notes
My Uncle Ben once told me that with great power comes great responsibility. He also was fond of saying that with Update 4 comes great zombie pirates, but we always just assumed he was a bit senile when he'd go on about that. Apparently not, as Turbine just released the DDO patch notes for the imminent Update 4, and players of all levels look to be in for a treat. "Adventure steals in from the sea!" they promise, citing a new adventure pack entitled "Sentinels." This pack includes a series of zombie pirate adventures for players levels 6-8, as well as an epic difficulty version for level 20 powerhouses. At PAX East we got to experience this adventure up close and personal, and walked away impressed with the epic feel of the module.
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions pre-order gets 4 new costumes, 'signature charge attack'
We may only know about two of the four Spidey settings to be featured in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimension, but that hasn't stopped GameStop from announcing that pre-orders of the game (on any console) will get access to a Cosmic Spider-Man costume (which can be equipped in each of the game's four "universes"). Like in the comics, the extra-superpowered state of Cosmic Spider-Man will enable a "signature charge attack" that's exclusive to his costume, regardless of which world you're Spider-Manning around in. Since GameStop didn't release an image of the Spidey iteration from its (presumably exclusive) pre-order bonus, we've dropped a picture of the totally rad Cosmic Spider-Man action figure above -- it's gotta look something like that in-game, right? And no, it's not a "doll." It's an action figure. [Thanks Joshua!]
Impressions: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Click to enlarge Activision chose a fitting event during which to take the webbing wraps off of its latest Spider-Man game -- the annual WonderCon comics convention in San Francisco -- but based on what I saw of Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions today, it might have been best to hold off for an E3 debut in June. After a rousing reveal trailer earlier in the week, I have to admit to some fairly high expectations going into my first live demo of the game. What had been shown of two out of the game's four unique Spider-Man universes looked great in the video, after all, and had us excited enough to start pondering what the other two might be. While I'm still completely sold on the concept of a game based on the comics that visits four different Spideys, each in their own dimensions and each of those featuring a different gameplay hook, the actual execution as it stands doesn't live up to the team's ambitions. %Gallery-89427%
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions swings into stores this September
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions will get its amazing, noir web-slinging on this September. The game's story, written by Marvel's Dan Slott, finds four different wall-crawlers working across parallel universes to put together the Tablet of Order and Chaos, which sounds like a rejected item name from the Zelda universe. The latest issue of GamePro has some more details on the game and, for those who'd like to wear their spandex suits in public while checking out Shattered Dimensions, also the San Francisco WonderCon should be showing off the game this weekend. %Gallery-89427%
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions: The Wish List
So, we know that two of the four slots for alternate realities in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions will be filled by the classic Peter Parker from Amazing Spider-Man and the 1930s take of Spider-Man: Noir. But we're totally in the dark about the remaining two continuities that will be featured. So, since it's anybody's guess, we thought we'd make a few of our own. Excelsior!
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions reveals 'Amazing' and 'Noir' settings
You know, it's kind of depressingly easy to win nerds over. Take, for instance, the debut trailer for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions just after the break. With just a few moving images of "noir" Spider-Man in action, our mild curiosity about the game from the company that most recently ported Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to Windows transformed to rubbing $60 on our computer monitors, hoping to coax the game into reality. We really are that easy. Come, drool with us on this Gamespot preview of the game (scripted by She-Hulk/Amazing Spider-Man author Dan Slott). But wait, there are still two more "dimensions" to be shown, other than "Noir" and the classic setting of "Amazing." We look forward to finding just how much more we can pine for a game from the guys who made Bee Movie: The Game. Also, is that first-person swinging? WHAT?
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions to be unveiled at WonderCon
According to the WonderCon 2010 event schedule, on Saturday, April 3, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions will be featured in an afternoon panel hosted by the likes of Marvel writer Dan Slott, Spidey voice actor Christopher Daniel, Activision senior producer Meghan Morgan and creative director Thomas Wilson of developer Beenox Studios -- wait. Beenox who? You're probably not familiar with the studio behind the next Spider-Man game by name, and for good reason. The Quebec City, Canada-based studio Bennox, a wholly-owned Activision subsidiary since 2005, has long handled the publisher's dirty work, responsible for porting some 30 or so of Activision's licensed-franchise games to the Windows and Mac platforms. Beenox also handled the Dreamworks-based movie-to-game adaptations of Bee Movie and Monsters vs. Aliens, as well as Guitar Hero: Smash Hits. Clearly, Beenox has paid its dues and, with Shattered Dimensions, has its first shot at becoming a household name; if it can "un-suck" Activision's Spider-Man series. (Having been crowned Quebec's Best Employer in 2008 and the Company of the Year in 2006, by the Quebec Chamber of Commerce, it sounds like Beenox's staff of roughly 300 could be up to the task.) Additionally, the WonderCon event listing reveals a few tidbits about Shattered Dimensions, teasing "an exciting new universe never before seen in Spider-Man video games," featuring "unique, unexpected worlds," and the reveal of two "new" villains. This is not going to be your friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man, kids. [Via IGN]
Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions teased by GamePro
We were busy ogling the suitable-for-framing cover art of the May issue of GamePro just posted by mag boss John Davison when we noticed a title we didn't recognize: Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. Considering how well-informed and handsome we all are, we were understandably stymied. Unfortunately, Activision declined to comment so we don't know any more than you do about it at the moment, though we have to assume this is the previously-announced upcoming Spider-Man game, which supposedly won't suck. Hopefully we'll have more for you when the issue starts hitting subscribers in the coming days.
Activision reports $113m in profits for 2009; 2010 game plan is predictable
Today Activision Blizzard reported the financial results of its December quarter and the entire 2009 calendar year. For the year, Activision recorded a net income of $113 million, a modest turnaround from the $107 million in net losses for the company in 2008. Led by sales of Modern Warfare 2, all signs -- at least, this one -- pointed to an outstanding Q4 for the publisher. However, figures released today indicate that Activision actually posted a $286 million net loss during the period. "Despite these challenging times, in 2010 we remain focused on expanding operating margins by growing our high-margin digital/online revenues, directing our resources to the largest and most profitable opportunities and realizing operational efficiencies globally," CEO Bobby Kotick said. "In calendar year 2010, we expect our net earnings and operating margin growth will be driven by our product slate that includes Blizzard Entertainment's Starcraft II and the World of Warcraft expansion pack, Cataclysm, as well as a diversified lineup based on Activision Publishing's best-selling franchises including Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, together with other well-known titles such as True Crime, Spider-Man and Bakugan." While few details were give about Activision's pending slate of sequels, spinoffs and possible reboots, Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing, did share a few words about the next True Crime game. "We'll be releasing a game in the $4 billion action genre, based on our True Crime franchise," Griffith said. "The game blends intense Hollywood-style driving with martial arts combat and shootouts to deliver an Asian cinema-inspired action thriller. This is a big open-world action game that looks especially strong." Griffith also confirmed that a new 007 game is still in the works for 2010. Additionally, Activision noted that two new IPs are in development for its 2010 lineup and assured that additional DLC will continue to be released for Guitar Hero 5 (and presumably Band Hero), as well as for DJ Hero. The next installments in both music game franchises, Guitar Hero and DJ Hero, are due in "the back half of the year," according Griffith. Activision also announced that it has ceased developing new Guitar Hero games for the PlayStation 2 platform. Aw, shucks.
Kotick: Activision's Spider-Man games have 'sucked'
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick didn't just talk up the DJ Hero franchise in his recent Game Informer interview. According to Destructoid, he also disparaged the quality of his company's Spider-Man games. "Our Spider-Man games have sucked for the last five years," Kotick said, inadvertently revealing that he must not have played either the 360/PS3 or DS Web of Shadows games. "They are bad games. They were poorly rated because they were bad games." As for why they sucked: "We went away from what is Spider-Man," Kotick said. "It's about web-slinging. If you don't do web-slinging, what is the fantasy of Spider-Man?" Since this is Activision, we can speculate about how the company will focus on web-slinging: By packaging a special "web shooter" controller with the game in a big $120 box. And, of course, a new developer will be involved with whatever happens with the franchise since next-gen Web of Shadows dev Shaba Games is no more.
What we know about the Warcraft movie
Last week, we reported that the Warcraft movie may be on its way. Previously there had been speculation that the film's development would be pushed back, since director Sam Raimi was tied up by problems with Spider-Man 4. Raimi then unexpectedly walked away from Spider-Man 4, citing creative reasons, and it suddenly looked hopeful that he might soon be turning his attention to the Warcraft film. So now, in preparation for more news on the film, we will be bringing you up to date on what we currently know about the Warcraft movie.
Spider-Man 4 canceled; Warcraft movie soon?
Sam Raimi will no longer be directing Spider-Man 4, and neither will anyone else for that matter. Sony Pictures announced today that they are canning the current Spider-Man franchise and will be rebooting it in the summer of 2012 with an entirely new director, cast, and crew. Raimi's decision to withdraw from the project supposedly stems from the summer 2011 release date, and how it would compromise the creative integrity of the film. This all comes after news that complications in the Spider-Man 4 script threatened to delay the film. For Blizzard fans, this could mean that Raimi is now free to shift his focus to the World of Warcraft movie. However, Mike Fleming of Deadline Hollywood cites an alternative project option to the Azerothian epic, The Given Day, a novel written by Dennis Lehane, author of Shutter Island and Mystic River. No official announcements from Raimi or Blizzard yet, however Fleming is a very reliable source for rumors in Hollywood. [Thanks to everyone for the tips!]
Spider-Man 4 delayed, possibly impacting Warcraft movie
The latest buzz out of Hollywood is that the fourth installment of the Spider-Man movie franchise has hit a snag. Director Sam Raimi is apparently in the midst of some major creative differences with Sony Pictures executives over the script and the villain lineup. A little bit of drama in Hollywood is nothing new, of course, but in this case its become bad enough to delay the movie, with the May 6th, 2011 release date now in serious doubt.
iPhone It In: Rope 'n' Fly
There are deeper, more engrossing, better crafted experiences on the iPhone than Robert Szeleney's Rope 'n' Fly, but you'd be hard pressed to find many that take advantage of the platform so well.It is, basically, a Spider-Man game. No, of course it's not called that, and (after a recent update) the main character is no longer clad in Spidey's trademark red and blue, but there's no doubt that the game's trying to simulate the feeling of tooling about as the world's favorite wall-crawler.
