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Prototype, four fresh screens
GDC '08 is in full swing and hot off the heels of day one are four new images from the upcoming Xbox 360, PS3 and PC title Prototype. Haven't heard of Prototype? It's that game that looks like a cross between Assassin's Creed's Parkour-style movement and X-Men's Mystique on a really bad day. In the third-person action title from Radical Entertainment, gamers control Alex Mercer - a genetically mutated shape-shifter who has a serious case of the "Who am I's" and "Who do I kill to find out's?" Looks slick so far kids.%Gallery-16382%
Vivendi Games buys Wanako, world trembles
Wanako Games, makers of the Live Arcade shooter, Assault Heroes, has been acquired by Vivendi Games. Given the (relative) praise that Assault Heroes received, the deal makes sense. Also, it has already been announced that Sierra Online -- a division of Vivendi Games and Ross Erickson's new home -- and Wanako are set to deliver another Arcade title 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures. It seems that both parties must have synced quite nicely, as representatives from both companies seem to share the same vision. Said Ed Zorbist, president of Sierra Online, "Wanako exudes the commitment to quality and a passion for developing great games that we ourselves strongly believe in."Alright. Yes. Good good. Now, can we please get to work on fixing Assault Heroes' co-op problems?[Via Joystiq. Thanks, J. Goodwin]
EA names new president of Asian operations
Electronic Arts has tapped former Vivendi Universal executive Hubert Larenaudie to be the new president of EA Asia. Larenaudie became the president of VU Games' Asia Pacific operations two years ago, and it's rumored that the strong ties he developed with The9 during that time will result in the Chinese publisher licensing EA's popular FIFA series. See also: EA's plan to rule Asia EA's admirable beginnings remembered Joystiq interview: Hoyt Ma (The9)
VU boss: "no creativity" in today's games
In a recent interview with MCV, Vivendi Universal Games CEO Bruce Hack calls out the gaming industry for its "lack of creativity". A choice quote: "I looked around E3 and I saw too much of the same. I won't allow us to do that. I'm trying to be a pain in the ass hassling our people for creativity." He must have missed that whole Spore presentation.While VU has published some winners in recent years -- most notably Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, F.E.A.R., and the Blizzard titles -- it remains to be seen how Scarface and Eragon will be received. And I think Bruce should have been more of a pain in the ass to the creative teams behind 50 Cent: Bulletproof, Fight Club, Predator: Concrete Jungle, and Red Ninja: End of Honor.
