microsoft-game-studios posts (Subscribe to this feed)

A 'slice' of Forza 3's Japanese cars and tracks revealed

by Xav de Matos { Jul 1st 2009 at 5:00AM }

With an October release just around the corner, Turn 10 is taking the time to slowly reveal the cars and tracks featured in Forza Motorsport 3. Today's details come from the Japanese region, with news that Forza 3 will feature the legendary Suzuka Circuit -- known as one of the most "dangerous motorsport race tracks in Japan" -- the Tsukuba Circuit and the Twin Ring Motegi, home of the Indy Japan 300.

Also revealed in today's press release were 17 of the game's 400 vehicles, featuring standard production cars like the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR and 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, as well as race models from Nissan and Toyota. A full list of the rides revealed today -- which Turn 10 promises is just a 'slice' of Japanese content -- can be found after the break. Brace your faces, racing fans, as Turn 10 trickles out more details for the upcoming racing sim in the coming months.

Gallery: Forza Motorsport 3 (Japanese Vehicles)

Continued →

Gears of War: Jacinto's Remnant coming next month

by Xav de Matos { Jun 30th 2009 at 11:59PM }

If you're wondering what to do on a cold night, while snuggling next to a warm fire ... may we suggest, reading? Of course, in this scenario, all electricity is out and video games are no option for you. So, if that's what it takes for you to pick up a book (we kid!), you might be interested in something with a little video game flavor.

Coming to bookstores on July 28 is Gears of War: Jacinto's Remnant -- from best-selling sci-fi author Karen Traviss (of Star Wars novel fame!).

Jacinto's Remnant begins moments following the end of Gears of War 2. It's really hard to tell you what the novel is about without spoiling the ending of 2008's Epic Xbox 360-exclusive, but from what we've seen so far, the book looks to paint a picture of humanity's struggle for survival against a new kind of enemy -- itself. Sounds interesting, so far. Excited?

Fable 3 designer gets married and ... wait a minute!

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 30th 2009 at 9:45AM }

Last Friday's New York Times "Wedding/Celebrations" section announced the nuptials of Ms. Amy Gilbert (who is studying for her Ph.D. in molecular medicine in London) and Joshua Atkins, the "lead game designer for Fable III." Would this be be first tandem wedding and game announcement? Although Fable III doesn't officially exist, Atkins has been with Lionhead since Fable and is listed as a part of the design team at Microsoft Game Studios in the Fable II manual.

This isn't the first time Fable III has been unofficially mentioned: British talk show host Jonathan Ross tweeted in March that he was approached to do voice work for the game. Of course, we've contacted Microsoft for confirmation of Fable III's development. We absolutely can't wait until the company pulls "we don't comment on rumor and speculation" on this one.

PS: From all of us at Joystiq: Congratulations to the happy couple!

Update: Microsoft's official statement: "We have nothing to announce regarding future Lionhead Studios projects."

[Via Kotaku]

Yahuh! Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts soundtrack out tomorrow

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 29th 2009 at 1:00PM }

If you're in the market for a delightfully bouncy orchestral video game soundtrack, then we've got some good news for you. Sumthing Digital will be offering the official Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts soundtrack starting tomorrow. We've sampled a few tracks and can confirm that it is most definitely delightfully bouncy and orchestral. All kidding aside, it's actually a pretty decent soundtrack, and certainly better than a lot of the other game music out there.

The soundtrack will also be available from Amazon, and can currently be pre-ordered for $13.99, nearly two bucks off the $15.98 list price. As Rare states on its website, "Nobody has an overabundance of vehicular bear music in their library right now, so this deserves a shot."

Source - Sumthing Digital
Source - Amazon

SIGGRAPH 2009 panel to focus on Fight Night Round 4, Gears of War 2 graphics

by Randy Nelson { Jun 26th 2009 at 6:00AM }

The organizer of SIGGRAPH, an annual gathering of digital visual artists, has already implied that gaming will have a larger presence at 2009's conference than in previous years; there's even going to be a keynote address by SimCity creator Will Wright. It's now been announced that a session focusing on real-time computer graphics will explore the creation of visuals for EA Sports' newly released Fight Night Round 4 and Epic Games' not-so-new (but still mightily pretty) Gears of War 2.

Titled "Big, Fast, and Cool: Making the Art for Fight Night Round 4 & Gears of War 2" (that title is neither small, quick or cool, by the way), the session is being offered for CG artists because, as SIGGRAPH 2009 real-time rendering chair Evan Hirsch says, "So much of what makes today's videogames so great are the responsive graphics and the stories that unfold during game play." It's a shame about that "during game play" bit; otherwise the entire thing could be called "The cinematics of Metal Gear Solid 4: Watch and Learn." Next year, Kojima. Next year.

Pick Forza 3's pre-order Audi's look, potentially drive the real thing

by Randy Nelson { Jun 22nd 2009 at 5:00PM }

Xbox.com is hosting a bit of a contest / user feedback survey involving the Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro which those who pre-order Forza 3 will receive as bonus DLC. Five potential paint jobs for the seriously slick ride are posted on the contest page, which instructs vistors to cast their votes via an incresingly popular means: downloading a correspnding (free) Gamer Picture from the Marketplace.

The design that has its gamerpic downloaded the most will be the one pre-order holders receive. Speaking of receiving, one contest entrant will be chosen at random to hit the track at the Infineon Raceway in a real Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro (lucky!) as part of the "Audi Sportscar Experience." (Yes, if you win, you actually get to drive the car -- we checked.)

Pre-order ODST, unlock Sgt. Avery Johnson

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 18th 2009 at 7:28PM }

So here's the news: Pre-ordering Halo 3: ODST at participating retailers will net you a token to unlock Sergeant Johnson as a playable character in the new Firefight mode. We greet this news with mixed feelings. On one hand, A.J. Johnson is undeniably a badass. His in-game model is even chomping his trademark cigar. On the other hand, we're not sure if picking Johnson amounts to cheating.

As Halo players well know, the man is invincible. The guy was jumped by the Flood and survived. Hell, we've seen him take a beam rifle to the head without even flinching. Here's hoping his mortality is restored for ODST. Otherwise it just wouldn't be fair. Check out some screens of Sgt. Johnson in the gallery below, and find a list of participating retailers after the break.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST Sgt. Johnson pre-order bonus

Continued →

Bungie: Don't expect to see Master Chief in ODST

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 15th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Given that Halo 3: ODST takes place directly after the Prophet of Regret bugs out of New Mombasa, it's not too surprising to learn that Master Chief won't be appearing in the game. See, everyone knows that the UNSC In Amber Clad -- carrying Master Chief -- jumped into the same slipspace rupture used by Regret. Duh.

Still, if you were sternly hoping that John 117 might make some kind of cameo, those hopes have now been officially quashed by Bungie's Brian Jarrard. Speaking to Multiplayer, Jarrard stated the totally obvious, "Master Chief, at the time this game takes place, is actually off on other parts of the galaxy." Jarrard elaborated, "In this game, it's all about you playing the role of an ODST," adding, "The way the timelines work in this game, Master Chief is off doing something else."

So there you have it, the only place to find Master Chief while playing ODST is where he can always be found: Our hearts.

Hands-on: Forza Motorsport 3

by Xav de Matos { Jun 11th 2009 at 7:45PM }

It was impossible for us to even fake surprise when Forza Motorsport 3 was revealed for the first time at Microsoft's Pre-E3 press briefing. After being rumored for the better part of the last year, we expected Forza 3 (from developer Turn 10) to steer into our direction during the industry's biggest event.

What did surprise us was how impressive the latest title in Microsoft's simulation racing series looked. For a franchise that has received flak from videophiles in the past, Forza Motorsport 3 was an impressive reveal for the Xbox 360 and one of the best racing games at E3 2009.

Gallery: Forza Motorsport 3

Continued →

Peter Molyneux became creative director of MGS Europe three months ago

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 4th 2009 at 7:00AM }

According to sources at GamesIndustry.biz, Peter Molyneux has been promoted to European creative director for Microsoft Game Studios. Strangely, it appears as though he was promoted to the position as far as three months ago. Phil Spencer, general manager at MGS, confirmed the promotion, and said, "the best way for us to make sure our platforms evolve in a way that enables the best creative experiences is to make sure our creative leaders are closely tied into the work that's going on with the platform team."

Molyneux says the promotion won't put him in a position to turn down game titles but rather to foster creative development. Molyneux said, "I'm definitely not going to go in and say 'this is a dumb idea' and 'this is a good idea' ... I'm more about making sure they really are doing the experiences they're passionate about, because passion is really central." The man responsible for Joystiq's 2008 Game of the Year award will remain in charge of Lionhead Studios.

Forza Motorsport 3 will ship on two discs

by Xav de Matos { Jun 4th 2009 at 1:30AM }

In an interview with Joystiq, Forza Motorsport 3 content director John Wendl of Turn 10, confirmed the upcoming racer would ship on two discs. As rumors last year noted, the core game will come on the game's first disc while the second will be reserved for other content -- such as vehicles and maps. "It is going to ship on two discs," Wendl said. "Disc one is the full experience, even disc one is bigger than any other racing game out there. Disc two includes a lot of extra cars, even a handful of tracks."

When asked if the second disc would act as a data transfer, downloading the additional content to the hard drive for use with the first disc, Wendl told us that was "exactly right." While Turn 10 assures all gamers will be able to enjoy the full Forza 3 experience, we now have confirmation that not all gamers will be able to enjoy all 400 vehicles promised at the Microsoft press briefing.

Gallery: Forza Motorsport 3

The Agency is recruiting again: First Crackdown 2 trailer

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 2nd 2009 at 12:15AM }

"The city is infected. You are the cure."

So begins the first trailer for Crackdown 2. The trailer subsequently showcases one of the Agency's supercops doing what he does best. If you've played the first Crackdown, you'll know that what an Agent does best is basically to be a complete and total badass. The only difference is that this time, it looks like the Agents just might have met their match. We won't spoil it for you, so just go ahead and give it a watch.

Open up your eyes for Alan Wake media

by JC Fletcher { Jun 1st 2009 at 5:45PM }

You read about people watching a new Alan Wake trailer. You may have even watched people watch the trailer on video streams. And now, you can watch the trailer, just like you were sitting at Microsoft's E3 keynote! Except it's not followed by several minutes of searching for "Rusty." And also it's probably not on a gigantic screen with an executive standing in front of it. Maybe it is. We haven't been to your house.

If the trailer isn't Wakey enough for you, check out our gallery! And then download this Xbox Live Premium Theme!

Gallery: Alan Wake (06-01-09)

XBLM Deal of the Week: Forza 2 DLC (again)

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 1st 2009 at 12:00PM }

Here we are again. Another Deal of the Week, another piece of DLC for a two-year-old game. If you're incredibly frugal and have been incredibly patient, you can finally snag 2008's March Car Pack for only 240

, a whole 160

off the standard price. That's 40%!

Oh, also, just so you know, MIcrosoft already discounted this DLC once before last September. That's right, this lightning struck twice.

GameTap taps into Microsoft Game Studios library [update]

by Randy Nelson { May 7th 2009 at 10:00PM }

GameTap's library of "on demand" games has just gotten that much larger thanks to a partnership with Microsoft Game Studios. Age of Mythology, Age of Empires 2, Fable: The Lost Chapter, Freelancer, Mech Warrior 4: Mercenaries, Rise of Nations and the Zoo Tycoon series ~~are available now and~~ lead off the service's MGS lineup, which will grow over the coming months.

The arrangement applies to the US and Europe, the latter having already received Fable: The Lost Chapters, Mech Warrior 4: Mercenaries and Zoo Tycoon via GameTap's partner in the territory, Metaboli.

Update: GameTap has clarified with MGS catalog roll out, stating that, at this time, "only Age Of Empires 2 and Fable are available now, the rest are coming soon."