Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

Xbox 360 - GamerChip

Movie Studio Buys Epic Games Says Silicon Valley

October 27th 2008 04:04
epic games gears of war 2 legendary


The evidence is becoming compelling as the rumours pick up speed. Variety have reported that Legendary Studios (makers of the prettily violent '300') are looking to aquire Gears Of War developers Epic. And as we already know, that the two are in partnership over the upcoming film version of Gears, meaning that the basis for the relationship has some solid foundations.


Microsoft have recently shrugged off a number of their development partners, preferring to keep the IP's and key staff for their own Microsoft Games Studios. Many might dismiss the news, thinking that such as important property couldn't be risked, but they thought the same about Bungie...

What we like the sound of is the link between Epic and the potential list of Movie related games that Legendary has on the books. You just know that Cliffy B would love a shot at Clash Of The Titans and Watchman. Cliffy has stated that there would be a few new properties for Epic and these look like a great start. For the sake of gamers everywhere, lets hope that this is the case, as it may mean that we actually get playable movie related games.

Superman: Man of Steel (2011)
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Gears of War (2010) (already an Epic tie-in)
Untitled 300 Sequel (2010)
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
The Hangover (2009)
Observe and Report (2009)
Watchmen (2009)

Kung Fu (2009)
Ninja Assassin (2009)
38
Vote
Shared on
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: Xbox 360
   


Are There No More Bad Games Being Made?

October 17th 2008 05:56
fallout 3


The latest copy of PC Powerplay has reviewed a raft of new games, many of which are the big name releases for the coming holiday season. And lets face it, games that are acrsoss platforms these days are pretty much the same. Startling, these games, of which there are eleven, average out at a score of 7.9/10. It's easy to say that most of these titles are flagship IP's for the publishers, but in an age where smaller developers are being consumed by the EA's and Activision Blizzard's of the world, it seems to indicate that blockbuster titles are becoming the norm, designed with low risk and huge amounts of community feedback along the way.
Perhaps you put these remarkably high scores down to the reviews themselves... The question has been raised in the past as to the legitimacy of game reviewers scores, with many tarred with the gamespot brush, but this magazine has long had a reputation for quality and impartiality and there has been no reason to think otherwise.

The actual list of games looks like this:

Fallout 3 : 9
Far Cry 2 : 10
Warhammer Online : 7
Dead Space : 7
Crysis: Warhead : 7
Civilisation 4 : 8
Brothers In Arms HH: 8
Mercs 4 WIF : 7
Pro Evolution 9 : 7
X2 : 8
Falcon 4 : 9

Production values in games are at Hollywood levels now, with professional writers and directors involved. Gameplay mechanics are being improved through the boot camp of expos, media and community events held showing early builds of their games. It's a smart system, allowing hard core fans the opportunity to let the developers know where they are doing well or screwing up and giving them the chance to fix it before launch. And a system that seems to be resulting in monotonously predictable review scores.
The upside is that we are getting higher quality product, it's becoming gamers paradise. The downside... Too many to choose from? Or is it the new ways in which games are selling and marketing themselves through DLC and micro transactions? Like those changes or not, the fact is that consistancy seems to be the word of the season, with something of quality for every genre fan. And in the year to come there can only be more of the same, as developers get to grips with console technology and the emerging engines.

And the reason for the picture? I suppose it's because the moral of the story is that we can now pretty much have our cake and eat it too.

28
Vote
Shared on
Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: PC, Xbox 360, Other
   


Microsoft Deny Blu-Ray For Xbox Again, But Is Is Time?

October 8th 2008 05:32
xbox 360 blu-ray


Okay, we could ask this question every time someone restarts the 360 receiving a Blu-ray rumour and publish the quote of Robbie Bach, Microsoft’s president for entertainment and devices, saying that its not happening. In fact, todays quote is “(that blu-ray for the xbox 360 is) so far out that there isn’t anything to talk about.”

This does leave the door open somewhat, and it may be a door that Microsoft need to walk through.

Consider the HDD install option, a great way around multiple disks, an option Microsoft has recently introduced. Unfortunately, large capacity hard drives are not an option, as the price is utterly dispicable with many of us needing to sell of one of our lesser used organs to purchase anything of practical size.
Also, as developers push the console further, higher resolution textures and sound are being packed into blockbuster titles. These require space, or a dreaded disk swap. A combination of the two could work, but who wants their one button start up that took them away from PC gaming in the first place to take such backward steps? And even if the game is installed on the HDD you'll still need the disk in the drive.

Of course, if you believe Microsoft, the answer is downloadable content. But lets face it, with new games weighing in at a minimum of 8GB , this is not a practical alternative for the masses, not at least for the current generation and probably not for the next. And as studios work more of a Hollywood angle into gaming, you can be sure these sizes will increase, particularly if the physical limit of the disk were removed via direct delivery.

It would be a safe bet that this is the last christmas that Microsoft can ignore the needs of the industry. To keep pace with an ever improving PS3 who are steadily increasing the worlds Blu-ray install base, the options are limited. Come the gaming explosion that will be next christmas, one DVD will not be enough.

19
Vote
Shared on
Comments (5)Comments (5) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: Xbox 360
   


Microsoft Tokyo Game Show Booth List

October 8th 2008 03:19
tokyo game show


Microsoft has announced their list of games to be shown at the Tokyo Game Show.... It's looking like a fun place to be


[ Click here to read more ]
41
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: PC, Xbox 360
   


Fracture Creates A New Multiplayer World

October 8th 2008 00:22
fracture lucasarts xbox


Our predictions for Fracture are, thankfully, still looking hopeful thanks to the early review of Fracture from Kotaku


[ Click here to read more ]
18
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: PC, Xbox 360, Other
   


Microsoft Freeze Hiring Within Xbox Division

October 7th 2008 04:05
xbox 360


The economic situation in America, combined with the new slimline look Microsoft has adopted for it's gaming division, has combined with the news that the Xbox and Zune divisions will be freezing all new employment


[ Click here to read more ]
30
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: Xbox 360
   


Silicon Knights Less Human, 26 Staff Cut

October 7th 2008 02:57
too human


Recently, news that a development studio has laid off workers ends with said developer ending up looking for a new sugar daddy, but spokeswoman Susan Lusty Of Silicon Knights assures us that their culling season is only due to the traditional cycle all developers go through after the launch of a title


[ Click here to read more ]
27
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: Xbox 360
   


Dead Space DLC Unique To Each Platform

October 2nd 2008 05:09
dead space


EA are letting you choose which console will be the better for the upcoming space horror shooter Dead Space


[ Click here to read more ]
30
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: PC, Xbox 360, Other
   


Cliff Bleszinski: "F*%#ing Hates" The PS3 Controller

September 30th 2008 23:43
Cliff Bleszinski


It doesn't sound like Gears Of War will be heading PS3-side anytime soon


[ Click here to read more ]
20
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: Xbox 360, Other
   


Microsoft: 360 Outselling PS3 Two To One

September 30th 2008 23:15
xbox 360 sales


Marketing and sales information company no. 573556, Chart Track, have released figures showing that Microsoft have shot ahead in sales across Europe. Up 214 per cent in the past two weeks, the recent price cuts have catapulted the 360 well into the lead


[ Click here to read more ]
20
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: Xbox 360, Other
   


Xbox 'Live Your Moment' Ads Blows Your Mind

September 25th 2008 01:13
xbox live


I've felt a little like this after one of those gargantuan nights out, the one that leaves you feeling like you've licked a thousand postage stamps, wired your eyes open while holding a hair dryer to them set at mach 4


[ Click here to read more ]
32
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: Xbox 360
   


Halo 3 TU2 FAQ Launched

September 24th 2008 23:55
halo 3 TU2


For those Halo 3 gamers who have questions about the latest update to the Xbox killer-app, the good people of Bungie have launched the Halo 3 TU2 FAQ to help get to grips with the changes


[ Click here to read more ]
41
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: Xbox 360
   


PS3 Left For Dead By Valve

September 24th 2008 05:30
valve


Valve are among the most respected and successful game developers of recent history. With a string of uber-successful titles franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal and in the future the highly anticipated Left 4 Dead. Add to that what is arguably the most used and reliable digital distribution system, Steam, and you have a very desirable business partner


[ Click here to read more ]
33
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Comments (15)Comments (15) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: PC, Xbox 360, Other
   


Fallout MMO Hot On The Heels Of Fallout 3?

September 24th 2008 00:17
fallout 3 MMO

The pre-release hype machine is building Fallout 3 to almost unachievable proportions, with any possibility of more Pip-goodness being lapped up like water for a thirsty canine companion. Interplay has supplied one more ration for Fallout starved fans with the hint at a Fallout MMO currently being worked on at their new Orange County office.

[ Click here to read more ]
43
Vote
Shared on
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Colin Stevens - Category: PC, Xbox 360, Other
   


Next Page (15-28)



[ GamerChip Home ] [ Create A New Post ]

Colin Stevens's Blogs

I have no other blogs :(
Moderated by Colin Stevens
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]