Ubisoft wanting to release new titles “every 12-18 months”

Posted in Ubisoft with tags on February 15, 2010 by James Love

In an interview with GI.biz, Ubisoft have said that they want to emulate Activision with their success of launching a new Call of Duty title almost annually.

Alain Corre, European MD said, “The Call of Duty example is the best around – they’ve been able over the past five years to iterate every year with growing success each time. They never compromise on quality, which is exactly what we’re trying to do with our brands now.”

Corre said that Ubi are “consider[ing] releasing a SKU every 12-18 months – but it needs to be different enough from the previous SKU to make sure you’re not tiring the franchise or the consumers.”

Titles such as Assassin’s Creed III, Prince of Persia and a new Ghost Recon are all set to appear within the next year to year and a half, along with others like Splinter Cell: Conviction which have been in the pipeline since 2006.

Microsoft looking to bring a “large franchise” to Natal

Posted in Microsoft Games Studios, Project Natal, Xbox 360 with tags on February 15, 2010 by James Love

According to a job advert by Microsoft, they’re planning to bring a “large franchise” over to Natal, with the job in question relating to level design, quite possibly looking for someone to help the transition from controller input to using Natal.

You can find more info on the job after the jump.

[Thanks to CVG]

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Xbox LIVE coming to Windows Phone 7 Series

Posted in Xbox Live with tags , on February 15, 2010 by James Love

Microsoft have today announced at Mobile World Congress that their new upcoming phone OS, Windows Phone 7 Series, will have Xbox LIVE support.

“For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series… [and] customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 2010,” says the PR.

Microsoft goes on to detail: “This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.”

[Via CVG]

Greenberg: Natal to be around for 5 years

Posted in Xbox 360 with tags , on February 15, 2010 by James Love

In an interview with CVG, Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg has hit out at accusations that Natal is nothing more than a glorified EyeToy, or even comparable to PlayStation Arc.

“We obviously could have done a motion controller if we’d have wanted to do that, but we felt that would be a much more interruptive experience.”

When talking about the product life of Natal, Greenberg was optimistic about its longevity, “The richness of the technology is going to really enable experiences that never had existed before,” he said. “And we’re not just speaking about what we’re doing this year, but I think two, three, four, five years from now as this evolves.”

Yakuza 3 developer diary #1

Posted in PlayStation 3, SEGA, Video with tags , on February 15, 2010 by James Love

We’ve got the latest Yakuza 3 developer diary from SEGA for you after the jump.

Yakuza 2 launches March 12th on PlayStation 3.

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BioShock 2 tops UK charts

Posted in 2k Games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360 with tags , on February 15, 2010 by James Love

2K’s BioShock 2 has topped the lastest UK chart for all formats from ELSPA, ahead of titles like Modern Warfare 2 and Mass Effect 2.

Check out the full chart after the jump.

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Future announce First Play for PlayStation 3

Posted in PlayStation 3, PlayStation Network, PlayStation Store, Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios with tags , , on February 15, 2010 by James Love

It’s been a long time coming but now the UK is getting their own version of Qore, First Play.

Coming from the guys at the Official PlayStation Magazine, First Play will be available on a weekly basis costing 99p per episode or £8.99 for a three-month subscription.

The service will roll out in March in the UK with if the launch is successful. First Play will offer Beta access, video reviews, downloadable content and much more, with content from the store being availbable exclusively early to First Play subscribers.

With an install base of over 3 million in the UK, SCEE are highly optimistic about the service, “As PlayStation 3 moves the gaming experience to a more social and competitive online environment through the PlayStation Network, so it becomes critical that we’re offering gamers the very best content and services through this channel,” said Ray Maguire.

For a look at the trailer of First Play, head over to the official site.

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Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter coming April

Posted in Gathering of Developers (GOD games), PC, Xbox 360 with tags , on February 11, 2010 by James Love

Croteam have confirmed to BigDownload that Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter will be launching this April.

The game will be available via Steam and XBL, and there’ll also be retail discs available to for those of you who’d prefer a physical copy of the game.

Next Call of Duty not expected to repeat Modern Warfare 2 domination

Posted in Activision, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 with tags , , on February 11, 2010 by James Love

Modern Warfare 2 has been a phenomenal success, there can be no disputing that. In fact, it has been so much of a success that Activision publishing boss Mike Griffith has said that the company has “not planned on repeating the same level of success on this year’s title,” however they still remain “bullish” about it’s success.

[Thanks to GI.biz]

Rumour: 3D coming to PS3 with Firmware 3.20

Posted in PlayStation 3, Rumours with tags on February 11, 2010 by James Love

As rumoured by TheSixthAxis yesterday, the PlayStation 3 could well have a new firmware coming in the near future.

VG247 have today received shots of the new firmware (3.20) running on a debug machine.

Check out the shots after the jump.

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