Gaming Info #2

JULY 2003 NEWS
July 23, 2003
Games
Well that damn bird came back, with some very exciting news for Playstation 2 owners. Fortunately rather then just a whisper he also brought back a a press release which should only strengthen even further the lead that the Playstation 2 enjoys around the world. (At last - some revenge for the wait on Splinter Cell).

PLAYSTATION 2 REMAINS SYSTEM OF CHOICE FOR WORLD'S TOP GAME DEVELOPERS


Ubi Soft® confirms two exclusive games for Christmas 2003

July 23rd, 2003 - Ubi Soft® Entertainment, one of the world's largest video game publishers, today announced that the highly anticipated titles Prince of Persia The Sands of Time(tm) and Beyond Good & Evil(tm) will be published exclusively for the PlayStation*2 console during 2003 in Australia.

The brand new Prince of Persia game: Prince of Persia The Sands of Time(tm) is currently under development at Ubi Soft's Montreal Studio, home to the Splinter Cell® franchise. Players take the role of the Prince in the exotic, mysterious world of ancient Persia. Using groundbreaking animations and innovative time-control powers to recapture the Sands of Time, their role is to restore peace to the land.

Beyond Good & Evil(tm) is being developed by Michel Ancel - creator of the critically acclaimed and highly successful Rayman® series - and his teams. The game features Jade, an intrepid and attractive journalist who uncovers a web of conspiracy. Beyond Good & Evil(tm) will transport the player into a deep story of truth and deception set in a fantastical world, a world with literally no bounds.

"Both these games uniquely showcase the continued evolution of PlayStation 2 gaming," commented Darren Macbeth, Managing Director for Ubi Soft Australia and New Zealand. "After their showing at E3, both of these games have shot to the top of gamer's wish lists. With the talent and experience of two of Ubi Soft's most renowned studios behind them, these games will be the must-have titles for Christmas this year."

Michael Ephraim, Vice President of SCE Europe and Managing Director of SCE Aust/NZ commented "Voted best PlayStation 2 game at E3 this year, we welcome Ubi Soft's decision to publish Prince of Persia, together with Beyond Good and Evil, exclusively on PlayStation 2 during 2003. PlayStation 2 continues to be the system of choice for the world's top game developers and for their latest games."

Ubi Soft® Entertainment Australia/New Zealand are planning to spend in excess of $1.5 million dollars marketing both these titles, re-inforcing their status as Christmas PlayStation*2 blockbuster titles for 2003.

Preview
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has just been announced by Sony Australia and UbiSoft Australia as a PS2 exclusive for consoles in 2003. That's right, if you want to play this game on a console this year you'll need a Playstation 2. The game received many accolades at the E3 show and was voted among the top titles on display. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time looks like an absolute winner.

July 22, 2003
Preview
EA Sports Rugby 2004 has certainly been one of the most requested sporting titles on the Playstation 2. With the World Cup beginning in October this year there was little doubt that the timing was right for another Rugby game. After waiting for over 2 years the wait certainly looks justified.

July 20, 2003
Games
According to PS2.IGN there may be a possibility of Gran Turismo 4 being released before the end of the year. Take ti with a grain of salt however as Polyphony Digital have never rushed out a product if they can improve it before release, and most people still anticipate a 2004 release.

Atari have announced plans to develop and release a game based on the Transformers universe. Titled Transformers Armada: Prelude to Energon the game is expected to be release around mid 2004.

Sony has confirmed that Mojib-Ribbon, the sequel to the PSOne game Vib Ribbon will be release in Japan this Spring. Given poor sales of the original outside Japan it's unlikely this game will be released in other territories, but I'd like to be proven wrong.

Preview
Medal of Honor Rising Sun looks set to be yet another great title in Electronic Arts' WWII series of games. This time the action is based in the Pacific. Exactly how were EA going to top the Omaha Beach landing from the previous game. Well, how about Pearl Harbour. This game is going to blow your socks off. Latest screens and info inside.

July 17, 2003
Games
Midway have pushed the release date of their game ESPionage until May 2004. The action title allows you to use Psychic powers against enemies. Expect more news at a later date.

UbiSoft has annoucned that David Duchovny and Adam West will provide voice talent in their upcoming shooter XIII. David Duchovney, who starred in the X-Files TV show, will provide the voice of secret agent XIII. Adam West is best known as Batman in the 1960's and will lend his voice to a character named General Carrington. XIII is currently slated for release in October.

Preview
Dance Stage MegaMix is about to be released in Australia and will be the first time that the legendary Konami arcade dancing game has being released on the Playstation 2. With over 65 songs, including many commercial hits, this is one party game you must add to your collection. Here's the latest screens and info prior to a late August release.

July 15, 2003
Games
Midway has confirmed they are working on a game based on the Justice League DC Comics characters. The game is expected to be released in 2004 but as yet no other details are available.

Soul Calibur II has finally been given a definite release date in the UK. Gamers will finally be able to get thier hands on the title on September 26th while the Australian release is still scheduled for September 29th.

Preview
Aliens Vs Predator: Extinction is finally heading to Playstation 2. However, rather then a conversion of the similarily named PC game this game, developed by Zono Inc., is actually a strategy game. With only a month to release the screenshots look nice enough but it will all come down to the gameplay. Here's a full preview.

Forums
Click here to go to the forums and post a message. Why? Because it's the easiest way to ask a question and get answers, be it about release dates, gameplay, or anything else. It's been pretty quiet of late but if you select "Show all Topics" in top drop down box you will see that most games are covered.

July 13, 2003
Games
Konami have confirmed that Pro Evolution Soccer 3 is in development. But this isn't just a small update as developers KCET have apparently reworked 80% of the games animations with a new graphics engine, redone the AI and added in some new moves. The only disappointment is a lack of online gameplay - something which FIFA 2004 will include. Expect a release in late 2003.

Preview
Need For Speed Undergroud is almost certain to be a winner - truse me. Many people say that the Gran Turismo series looks wonderful. I defy you to look at this game and tell me that this isn't better - at least in terms of lighting and textures. This is possibly the best looking racing game ever. Check it out.


For links, and so-on go to the link
www.futuregamez.net/news/news.html


P.S.
Go PS2!!