CliffyB wasn’t lying when he said they had a long vision for the Gears of War franchise. But just how long would that be? According to Gears of War 2 writer Josh Ortega, Epic has a ‘ten-year-plan’ for their cash cow.
“Gears is long-term. The lancer is the new lightsaber,” he added. This was in response to a question about a potential sequel.
The series has so far seen two blockbuster games, a comic book and a forthcoming live-action film, which the team hopes will be the first in a trilogy.
Ortega also talked about potential DLC for the game, noting that we “won’t be disappointed” when it comes to single-player DLC. Keep your fingers crossed!
To celebrate the release of the first expansion for Grand Theft Auto IV, Microsoft has announced that all Xbox Live members will be able to enjoy GTA4 online multiplayer from 9am PST on February 17 to 11.59pm PST on February 22. This applies to ALL members – even silver ones.
Traditionally free Xbox Live accounts aren’t allowed to join multiplayer festivities, which are restricted to those with paid subscriptions.
Microsoft noted that the promotion applies only to those playing GTA4 or the Lost and Damned expansion, which requires the game’s disc to play.
The Lost and Damned – the first of two Xbox 360-exclusive expansions – is set for release on February 17 for $20.
Whether or not it was designed in imitation of or in direct competition to Gears of War 2′s Horde mode, the Nazi Zombie mode that Treyarch included in Call of Duty: World of War is incredibly popular. As with most online-friendly FPS titles there has been discussion of DLC for the most recent World War II title.
In addition to more commonplace levels that will be included in the upcoming map pack, there will be yet another zombie level coming. On the game’s forums community manager JD_2020 confirmed the rumors circulating that there would be a new zombie level included in the first map pack, adding a tongue-in cheek comment regarding the zombie warning on road signs.
Sony has recently revealed a list of 24 companies that will be issued a license to create content for their online Home service.
Now, Home is generally accepted as a failure, or a work in progress depending how you look at it. However, according to this list, Sony seems to really be rallying up the troops to garner interest in the service.
Some big names that will recieve a license include EA, Capcom, Sega and Ubisoft but theres no telling if these companies will actually create content for the service and if so, when.
Hit the read link for the full list of all 24 companies.
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Now before you go and boycott Grand Theft Auto‘s debut on a Nintendo console, please take note that the game will in fact feature multiplayer. That multiplayer, however, will not be playabale over Nintendo’s Wi-Fi connection only via local player, this includes cooperative mode as well.
Bummer, yeah, but then what does the Wi-Fi connection do for the game? Well, you’ll be able to chat with other players ingame, share your favorite spots, and upload your stats to Rockstar’s Social Club. Oh boy!
Read (Joystiq)
As the beginning of another week comes to a close, let’s take a look at the new games Nintendo has introduced into their online services.
Both services, Wiiware and the Virtual Console, will only recieve one game this week, check them out below:
WiiWare
LIT (WayForward Technologies, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Violence, 800 Wii Points): Dark creatures have taken over Jake’s high school, and it’s up to you to guide him through each classroom in order to be reunited with his girlfriend Rachael. Existing light sources must be used smartly to create bridges of light for Jake to cross. One false step and Jake gets pulled into the darkness. Along the way he’ll encounter twisted versions of his school’s faculty, which must be battled in order to advance. LIT is a horror/puzzle game that requires the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers. It contains 30 levels, five boss battles, replay modes and several unlockables, including multiple endings, Dark Mode timed challenges and an unlockable character.
Virtual Console
Wolf of the Battlefield: MERCS (SEGA GENESIS, 1 player, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older—Mild Violence, 800 Wii Points): Following a rash of terrorism outbreaks and increasing opposition from guerilla fighters, the U.S. government has decided to hire a group of professional mercenaries to undergo secret missions, battling through enemy lines to go where no ordinary soldier would dare to go. Based on the popular arcade game, the SEGA GENESIS version of MERCS lets you play as a MERC and also adds an original mode, allowing players to choose from five different characters. Take no prisoners as you shoot, drive jeeps and tanks, and clash against huge bosses to accomplish your mission.
Read (Nintendo)
Last week Bethesda released the first of three content packs for the post-apocalyptic RPG Fallout 3. Entitled “Operation Anchorage” it promised to somehow hurl you into the past to relive an important battle in the liberation of Anchorage Alaska from invading Chinese communist forces (it seems Sarah Palin’s worries about the Russians were unfounded).
I’m here to tell you that if you love Fallout 3 and just can’t wait to get your hands on more (or haven’t played the game yet at all), it’s definitely worth shelling out the cost for the content pack as it’s an interesting experience that provides you with more game time. If you’ve since bored of the game and have moved on to other things I wouldn’t advise it, since it doesn’t add any new features, simply a new quest and a handful of new content. Still interested? Read on.
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On LinuxGames is word that CCP is dropping support for the Linux client of EVE Online as of March 10. This is due to the “low amount of users… did not justify the degree of additional complexity having three operating systems impose on our development and release schedules.”
CCP continues, adding that there is also the matter of maintaining the hardware infrastructure, as well as spending man-hours to refine and test the user client and more factors that have changed their minds on Linux support.
The studio was one of the very few developers who actually developed for Linux. Other notables include id Software and… well, no one comes to mind.
This week’s lone release on Xbox Live Arcade will be EA Canada’s NHL Arcade, the publisher’s 3-on-3 arcade take on the popular Canadian sport. The downloadable game will sell for 800 Microsoft points ($10); the PS3 version was released last week.
Not meant to be taken seriously, the big-head hockey game will feature fast-paced action, power-ups and more. There’s also a multiplayer mode with ranked matches.
Look for it this Wednesday.
