SupermanReturns
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X3F Achievements 101: Superagon Returns
Welcome back to another edition of X3F Achievements 101, where we take a look at the last 7 days in Achievement whoring of yours truly and any observations or interesting tidbits that got discovered along the way. This week saw a good jump in Gamerscore, as I plowed through a couple of mediocre games with some straightforward Achievements, along with others that require special attention to obtain. So, we'll take a look at Superman Returns, Eragon, and touch on a teensy bit of Shadowrun.
HDTV Listings for June 16, 2007
What we're watching: Sure we already saw it on Blu-ray, HD DVD and Xbox Live, but it Superman Returns on Cinemax gets yet another look tonight.Our traditional high-def listings continue below.
Warner Home Video outlines 2007 HD DVD plans
Warner Home Video unveiled some of the highlights of its planned HD DVD lineup for 2007 tonight, highlighted by hits like The Matrix and the entire Harry Potter series. Six-time Golden Globe nominee The Departed hits on an HD DVD combo February 13, but it doesn't stop there. Ocean's 11 and Ocean's 12, as well as classics like Bullitt and The Getaway (1972) are also planned. Expect to see more Ultimate Collector's Editions like The Forbidden Planet on both HD DVD and Blu-ray this year. WHV has been the most prolific studio releasing on both high definition formats, not to mention putting HD content in other avenues like Xbox Live Video Marketplace, and as a result can claim to have six of the top ten selling HD DVD titles, led at #1 by Superman Returns.
Superman Returns now on Xbox Live Video Marketplace
We were wondering how long it would take to get a high definition blockbuster movie onto Xbox Live Video Marketplace, and it looks like Microsoft and Major Nelson just got in under the wire for 2006, adding Superman Returns yesterday. Weighing in at 7 GB for the 720p HD version (2 GB in 480p SD... for the masochists out there) for the 154 minute movie, it's finally time to clear off some of the Xbox 360 demos we downloaded and see if digital distribution works better in 2007 than it did last year. We'll be back with our impressions of the service, now that they've posted something we want to watch on our HDTVs.
Superman Returns fails to soar, EA unscathed
QA testers neglected to tell EA Tiburon that Superman Returns: The Videogame just isn't any fun. Or, maybe they did, and EA just assumed the brand would sell itself, regardless of game quality. Wrong.According to Bank of America research analyst Michael Savner, "sales of Superman Returns have been disappointing." But even a 'Super-dud' failed to crush EA's spirits. That's because Madden and FIFA are expected to gross $242 million in sales for the quarter. Hence, company share prices are up.
Shipping this week: Super Vegas edition
Another week, at least one more major title for Xbox 360. This week it's Rainbow Six Vegas, the long awaited shooter from the Tom Clancy loving folks at Ubisoft. Of course, there are arguably two big games this week, depending on your feelings towards a certain Man of Steel. We're a little confused about College Hoops 2K7, considering there was downloadable content available for it two weeks ago. Weird. Finally, we have Cabela's African Safari. Does anyone out there play these hunting games? We're curious if they're actually better than their Xbox 1 predecessors. Are they any fun, or is it just for the Gamerscore? Cabela's African Safari College Hoops 2K7 Superman Returns: The Videogame Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Superman demo doesn't suck, hell freezes
I just downloaded the Superman Returns demo and gave it a quick play through. In short, it's actually pretty good (I invite my fellow 360 Fanboy bloggers to disagree). It seems like for all the crap EA puts on the market, there's always one or two good games, too. It's the law of averages really. After all, if you put out 500* games a year, at least a few of them have to be good, right? Superman, however, is special, and not just because he's Superman either. No, the Son of Krypton has a sordid past in the videogame world. It's arguable that there has only ever been one Superman game that was actually fun, and that was the arcade game -- in fairness, I've never played the NES Superman and I somewhat enjoyed The Death and Return of Superman on Genesis/SNES. Read on for impressions (especially Live Silver members, who, we have just learned, cannot currently download the demo).
Superman Returns demo X-rays Marketplace [update 1]
It looks like Xbox Solution was right, as the Superman Returns demo is now available on Marketplace. Clocking in at just under a gig, it will take you some time to download. As we've said, we're cautiously optimistic about this game, so here's hoping the demo can fill those big red boots. We'll update you with impressions as soon as we get the chance.(By the way, we're aware of the Halo news. We're working on it. I promise.)Update: 360 Fanboy has just learned that this demo is currently unavailable to Silver members. Our condolences to you, because it's actually pretty good.
Superman demo tomorrow?
We revealed two weeks ago that a Superman Returns demo was on the way, and now Xbox Solution reports that it should show up tomorrow. We haven't seen anything official regarding the demo (and Xbox Solution curiously neglects to cite the source of their info), so chalk this one up to a rumor for now. If any of you have seen this info reported elsewhere, let us know. Frankly, we hope it does come out tomorrow, because we're actually pretty anxious to give Supes a try. Anyone else out there (cautiously) optimistic about this title?
Superman demo flies to XBLM in two weeks
During an interview with the supervising producer of Superman Returns, Gamertag Radio unearthed some good news. Expect a demo of Superman Returns to hit Xbox Live Marketplace within a week of the game's release (November 20). It's only natural to have doubts about any Superman game, so it's nice that we'll have a chance to try before we fly (ba dum bum). Is there any chance that Superman Returns, by EA mind you, could break the Superman game curse? Expect to find out in two weeks. GTR's interview with the producer should be up later today. Be sure and check it out.
Newsflash: Superman game might not suck
We saw a new trailer for Superman Returns this morning and were stricken with strange thoughts. We were thinking, "Hey, that doesn't look that bad. Looks pretty fun, actually. It's a Superman game that might not suck. And it's made by EA. Wha?" We know, it was a very strange thought process, and one that is not likely to repeat itself. The most compelling thing about the trailer might actually be the music. Much like the recent Gears of War teaser, the music complemented the action very well.Still, there are other Superman trailers that don't look so hot. General gameplay trailers, for example, leave a lot to be desired. So, as a public service, we've embedded two videos after the break. The first is the slickly produced trailer, and the second is straight gameplay. Both of them were released this month, so these are from the same build.
Superman Returns to DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray Nov. 28th
Summer blockbuster Superman Returns has a date from Warner Home Video, and VideoBusiness says you'll be able to see it no matter what side of the format war you're on. While The Lake House will still be the first triple-release later this month, you can pick up Superman Returns on DVD, HD DVD & Blu-ray November 28th. The standard DVD will be available either as a single disc (MSRP $28.98), 2-disc special edition (MSRP $34.99), HD DVD Combo disc (MSRP $39.99), or Blu-ray (MSRP $34.99). The special edition DVD will come with several hours worth of extras, but no word on the high definition IME extras we've already heard so much about. Still, considering such a high profile release and that they've already got HD extras ready, it seems likely that Superman follows Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift in being a 30GB/9GB combo disc. We're still not sure how many people are willing to pay a few extra bucks for a combo disc, but Warner is putting a lot of weight behind them. Information on whether or not the disc would allow buyers to fly merely by putting on a cape and yelling "I'm Superman" is also unavailable at this time.
Superman needs no health bar [update 1]
The Superman franchise has some bad luck on the gaming market, and not just Superman 64, considered by many to be one of the worst games ever made. After taking a look at 1UP's feature chronicling the worst Superman video games, one thing was made abundantly clear: developers don't like to make Superman ... well ... super. Every Superman title shown had the Man of Steel burdened by a health bar, fighting to protect himself against countless thugs and hackneyed plots. The hackneyed plots are fine, but Superman has only one weakness, and it is not a punch to the face. Developers put too much emphasis on a health bar, prevalent in almost every game now (even Mario gained a health bar when he went 3D). Let's make one thing abundantly clear: Superman needs no health bar. He's Superman.
Screens for the Man of Steel
The shaky, disease-ridden addicts over at XboxAddict have posted some new screens of Superman Returns. This could turn out to be a great game, but thus far the screenshots have not thrilled me. They lack zing. No verve at all. Hopefully, my fears are completely unfounded and this will be the best Superman since the arcade game, but I'm not holding my super breath.
Superman Returns HD trailers on Xbox Live Marketplace
Supes is back, and he's on Xbox Live (he cheats at Halo 2, that flying thing is a total glitch). Sure you can download HD trailers on your PC but that might not be hooked up to your TV. Superman Returns, one of the first movies made with HD DVD in mind, hits theaters on the 28th.Via Major Nelson, the HD content available is: Superman Returns Trailer #2 (480p/720p) Superman Returns Trailer #3 (480p/720p) Superman Returns: Action (480p/720p) Superman Returns: Ride (480p/720p) Superman Returns: Greatest American Hero (480p/720p) Superman Returns: Power (480p/720p Now a whole new generation of kids can jump off their garage roof w/ homemade capes and costumes learning the very important life lesson: You can't fly. Or maybe that was just us.
Free Superman Returns clip via iTunes Music Store
James Young wrote in to tell us about an exclusive premiere scene of 'Superman Returns' that is available on the iTunes Music Store. Now, I love a free clip as much as the next guy but that's not why James emailed us. He noticed that the clip is categorized as a 'Movie.'Does this lend credence to the idea that movies are next up on the iTunes Music Store? Well, it is a stretch but odder things have happened.
Superman Returns director talks HD DVD extras
Bryan Singer, director of the new movie Superman Returns did an interview with The Hollywood Reporter recently and talked a lot about the special effects technology that went into the movie, plus the inclusion of blogging for fans during the moviemaking process. Despite the fact that the movie hasn't even been released in theaters yet, he's already giving details on the DVD versions. He mentions specifically Warner's In Movie Experience (IME) technology, using the interactive technology of HD DVD (and potentially Blu-ray also) to show behind the scenes looks as well as cast interviews while the movie continues playing. He sounds pretty excited, and the feeling is catching.This is good not just for HDTV owners to hear such things are coming down the pipe, this kind of exposure about the additional features for the new formats will be very key in them being accepted by mainstream consumers. Can we expect a day-and-date HD DVD/Blu-ray release for Superman Returns?[Via MovieWeb]
Superman Returns HD trailer available on Apple.com
Supes is back, June 30, 2006. Not really much else to say but...Marlon Brando? Batman made a worthwhile return to the box office last year, and even though we don't go to the movies much, we might have to make an exception.[Via digg]
