Video Games: PC, PSP, PS3, xBox, and Wii Gaming News

According to IGN’s GamerMetrics (via Joystiq), there are 86 Xbox 360 titles to be released in 2006. Although some titles surely won’t make it to the market, and others will be added, this is a good indication of where the 360 is going:

Halo 3: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Microsoft, developed by Bungie Software
EA Sports Fight Night Round 3: (Sports) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Chicago
Gears of War: (Third-Person Shooter) Published by Microsoft, developed by Epic Games
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: (RPG) Published by Bethesda Softworks and 2K Games, developed by Bethesda Softworks
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter: (Shooter) Published by Ubisoft, developed by Ubisoft
Full Auto: (Racing Action) Published by SEGA, developed by Pseudo Interactive
Final Fantasy XI: (Persistent Online RPG) Published by Square Enix, developed by Square Enix
Prey: (First-Person Shooter) Published by 2K Games, developed by Human Head Studios and 3D Realms
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions CE (DICE)
Dead Rising: (Third-Person Action) Published by Capcom, developed by Capcom Production Studio 1
Rumble Roses XX: (Wrestling) Published by Konami, developed by Yuke’s Media Creations
Burnout Revenge: (Racing) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by Criterion Games
Top Spin 2: (Sports) Published by 2K Sports, developed by Indie Built
Lost Odyssey: (RPG) Published by Microsoft, developed by Mistwalker
The Outfit: (Third-Person Action) Published by THQ, developed by Relic
Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball 2: (Sports) Published by Tecmo, developed by Team Ninja
Lost Planet: (Action) Published by Capcom, developed by Capcom
Jade Empire 2 (Rumored) : (Real-Time RPG) Published by *TBA, developed by BioWare
Major League Baseball 2K6: (Sports) Published by 2K Sports, developed by Kush Games
NHL 06: (Sports) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Canada
College Hoops 2K6: (Sports) Published by 2K Sports, developed by Visual Concepts
Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting: (Fighting) Published by Capcom, developed by Capcom
The Godfather: (Third-Person Action Adventure) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Redwood Shores
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent: (Action) Published by Ubisoft, developed by Ubisoft Montreal
Tomb Raider: Legend: (Third-Person Action Adventure) Published by Eidos Interactive, developed by Crystal Dynamics
Too Human: (Adventure) Published by Microsoft, developed by Silicon Knights
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: (Real-Time Strategy) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Los Angeles
Saint’s Row: (Action) Published by THQ, developed by Volition
Chromehounds: (Action Simulation) Published by SEGA, developed by FromSoftware
NBA 2K7: (Sports) Published by 2K Sports, developed by Visual Concepts
Far Cry Instincts Predator: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Ubisoft, developed by Ubisoft Montreal
Frame City Killer: (Action Adventure) Published by Namco, developed by Namco
Test Drive Unlimited: (Persistent Online Racing) Published by Atari, developed by Eden Studios
TimeShift: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Atari, developed by Saber Interactive
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Collector’s Edition: (RPG) Published by Bethesda Softworks, developed by Bethesda Softworks
HoopWorld: (Action) developed by Streamline Studios
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII: (Flight Action) Published by Ubisoft, developed by Ubisoft Romania
Alan Wake: (Action) developed by Remedy
The Darkness: (Action) Published by *TBA, developed by Starbreeze AB
Dynasty Warriors 5 Special: (Action) Published by KOEI, developed by KOEI
Star Trek: Legacy: (Action) Published by Bethesda Softworks, developed by Mad Doc Software
Superman Returns: The Videogame: (Third-Person Action) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by Tiburon
Medal of Honor: Airborne: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by
Scarface: The World is Yours: (Action) Published by Vivendi Universal Games, developed by Radical Entertainment
Sonic the Hedgehog [next gen]: (Platformer) Published by SEGA, developed by Sonic Team
Crackdown: (Action) Published by Microsoft, developed by Real Time Worlds
Unreal Tournament 2007: (Shooter) Published by Midway Games, developed by Epic Games
Brothers in Arms 3: (Shooter) Published by Ubisoft, developed by Gearbox Software
Football Manager 2006: (Sports Simulation) Published by SEGA, developed by Sports Interactive (SI Interactive)
Castle Wolfenstein [untitled sequel]: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Activision, developed by Raven Software
Moto GP 2006: (Racing) Published by THQ, developed by Climax Studios
Killing Day: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Ubisoft, developed by
Huxley: (Persistent Online Shooter) Published by Webzen, developed by Webzen
Winning Eleven [working title]: (Sports) Published by Konami, developed by Konami
House of the Dead: (Shooter) Published by SEGA, developed by *TBA
Captain Blood: (Action Adventure) Published by Playlogic International, developed by Akella
After Burner: (Flight Action) Published by SEGA, developed by *TBA
Monster Madness: (Action) developed by Artificial Studios and IMMERSION Software & Graphics
Soulcalibur [next-gen sequel]: (Fighting) Published by Namco, developed by Namco
Alone in the Dark: (Adventure) Published by Atari, developed by Eden Studios
211: (Action) Published by *TBA, developed by Gaia Industries
Theseis: (Adventure) Published by *TBA, developed by Track7 Games
SSX 4: (Sports Action) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts
WarDevil — Unleash the Beast Within: (Action) developed by Digi-Guys
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest: (Action) Published by Buena Vista Games, developed by Eurocom
Fear & Respect: (Action) Published by Midway Games, developed by Edge of Reality
Dirty Harry: (Action) Published by Warner Bros. Interactive, developed by The Collective
Stranglehold: (Third-Person Action Adventure) Published by Midway Games, developed by Midway Games
DogTag: (Action) Published by Digital Jesters, developed by Diezel Power Studios
RoboBlitz: (Action) developed by Naked Sky Entertainment
KnightBlade – Final Flight: (Action) Published by *TBA, developed by 3000AD
Diabolique: License to Sin: (Third-Person Action) Published by Playlogic International, developed by Metropolis Software House
1XR: (Racing Action) Published by *TBA, developed by Infinite Games
Highlander: (Action) Published by SCi Entertainment Group, developed by
Conflict: Global Terror 2: (Shooter) Published by 2K Games, developed by Pivotal Games
Total Overdose 2: (Action) Published by SCi Entertainment Group, developed by
Mutant Storm 2: (Action) Published by Microsoft, developed by PomPom
Project Delta: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Playlogic International, developed by Playlogic International
Tracer: (Action) Published by *TBA, developed by Gaia Industries
Retribution (2006) : (Shooter) Published by *TBA, developed by U-235 Studios
Voodoo Nights: (Action) Published by *TBA, developed by Mindware
Interview with a Made Man: (Third-Person Action Adventure) Published by *TBA, developed by SilverBack Studios
Mad Tracks: (Racing) developed by Load Inc.
James Bond 007 (Rumored) : (Action) Published by Electronic Arts, developed by
Spark Unlimited Next-Gen Project [untitled]: Published by Atari, developed by Spark Unlimited
Urban Chaos: (First-Person Shooter) Published by Eidos Interactive, developed by Rocksteady Studios

Sony has officially released the names of 45 titles for the PS3 that will be released this year. FYI, Nintendo has only named about 8 titles for their Revolution so far. Without further ado:

Tekken PS3 : ( Fighting ) Published by Namco , developed by Namco
Killzone PS3 : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by Guerilla Games and SCEE
Warhawk PS3 : ( Flight Action ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by Incog Inc. Entertainment
Mobile Suit Gundam : ( Action ) Published by Bandai , developed by BEC
Ni-Oh : ( Action ) Published by KOEI , developed by *TBA
MotorStorm : ( Racing ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by Evolution Studios and SCEE
Fifth Phantom Saga : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by SEGA , developed by Sonic Team
Killing Day : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by Ubisoft , developed by *TBA
Formula One PS3 : ( Racing ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by SCE Studios Liverpool and SCEE
Heavenly Sword : ( Action Adventure ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by Ninja Theory and SCEE
The Getaway PS3 : ( Third-Person Action ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by SCE Studios Soho and SCE Studios London
Dark Sector : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by D3 Publisher , developed by Digital Extremes
I-8 : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by Insomniac Games
Sonic the Hedgehog : ( Platformer ) Published by SEGA , developed by Sonic Team
The Darkness : ( Third-Person Action ) Published by *TBA , developed by Starbreeze AB
Rockstar Old West PS3 Project [Untitled] : ( Action ) Published by Rockstar Games , developed by *TBA
KOEI “Guan Yu” PS3 Project [Untitled] : ( Other ) Published by KOEI , developed by *TBA
SCE London “Exploding Gas Station” PS3 Project [Untitled] : ( Action ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by SCE Studios London
Brothers in Arms 3 : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by Ubisoft , developed by Gearbox Software
Gretzky NHL [working title] : ( Sports ) Published by Sony Computer Entertainment , developed by Page 44 Studios
Project Delta : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by Playlogic International , developed by Playlogic International
Armored Core 4 : ( Action ) Published by FromSoftware , developed by FromSoftware
Half-Life 2 : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by *TBA , developed by Valve
Unreal Tournament 2007 : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by Midway Games , developed by Epic Games
Medal of Honor: Airborne : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by Electronic Arts , developed by *TBA
Bladestorm: The 100 Year War : ( TBA ) Published by KOEI , developed by Omega Force
Winning Eleven [working title] : ( Online Sports ) Published by Konami , developed by Konami
Stuntman PS3 : ( Racing Action ) Published by Atari , developed by Reflections Interactive
Project Assassin : ( Action ) Published by Ubisoft , developed by Ubisoft Montreal
Gradius PS3 : ( Shooter ) Published by Konami , developed by Konami
Theseis : ( Adventure ) Published by *TBA , developed by Track7 Games
WarDevil — Unleash the Beast Within : ( Action ) Published by *TBA , developed by Digi-Guys
Soulcalibur Next-Gen Project [Untitled] : ( Fighting ) Published by Namco , developed by Namco
Alan Wake : ( Action ) Published by *TBA , developed by Remedy
Turok Next [working title] : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by Buena Vista Games , developed by Propaganda Games
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest : ( Action ) Published by Buena Vista Games , developed by Eurocom
211 : ( Action ) Published by *TBA , developed by Gaia Industries
Dirty Harry : ( Action ) Published by Warner Bros. Interactive , developed by The Collective
Fear & Respect : ( Third-Person Action Adventure ) Published by Midway Games , developed by Edge of Reality
Psychopath : ( First-Person Shooter ) Published by *TBA , developed by Titan Productions
Spark Unlimited Next-Gen Project [untitled] : ( Action ) Published by Atari , developed by Spark Unlimited
Stranglehold : ( Third-Person Action Adventure ) Published by Midway Games , developed by Midway Games
Tracer : ( Action ) Published by *TBA , developed by Gaia Industries
Section 8 : ( Shooter ) Published by *TBA , developed by TimeGate
James Bond 007 [Next-Gen] {RUMOR} : ( Action ) Published by Electronic Arts , developed by *TBA

THQ has officially released a new 3D screenshot from MotoGP 2006 for the Xbox 360. The game is set to launch this March.

Click here for the full 3D version (QuickTime), Matrix style.

A new Tomb Raider that celebrates Lara Croft’s 10th anniversary could be in the works. Games Radar writes: “In an announcement today, publisher SCi has revealed plans to release a special edition of Tomb Raider later this year to celebrate Lara’s 10th birthday. Exactly which Tomb Raider will be getting the special edition treatment hasn’t been confirmed – could SCi be remaking the original Tomb Raider?”

“What happens when you combine a microscope, a tape recorder, a synthesizer, and an NES? Electroplankton!” – Toshio Iwai

A Nintendo DS exclusive game, Electroplankton takes full advantage of the touch screen and microphone to create an interactive game like no other. Joystiq reviews and writes:

“Electroplankton’s most interesting feature might not be what it is, but rather who made it. The box proclaims it was “Created by Toshio Iwai,” the renowned Japanese interactive media artist, and the manual includes his thoughts on the game and its characters. Taken in the context of his earlier works, Electroplankton owes more to its creator than to its medium. While Iwai has created video games before, beginning with Otocky, a musical shooter for the Famicom disk system, and SimTunes, part of Maxis’ popular Sim series, you’ll find direct inspiration for Electroplankton in some of his other works: in this video, you see the precursors of Elecroplankton’s Luminario and Lumiloop. Iwai creates systems of touch, sound, and light and although the Nintendo’s DS was built to play video games, it’s a perfect canvas for his creations.

The program (remember, it’s not a game) features ten unique plankton; each one responds to your touch, your voice, or both. There are Rec-Rec, fishlike plankton that feed on sound and basically act as a four-track recorder. Record four-second clips on all four plankton, and hear them played back over a beat. There is a group of five Beatnes plankton, with geometric heads and long tails, which recreate sound effects from the Nintendo Entertainment System’s sound chip as you tap them. Hanenbow are small plankton that leap from the water to bounce off leaves, each leaf they hit creating a melody. This is perhaps the only scenario that even resembles a game: the longer the Hanenbow are airborne bouncing on leaves, the more the leaves change color. When they all turn red, a flower blooms and you continue just as you were before. This challenge, insomuch as it is one, provided the one goal in the game and, as a result, I returned to it frequently.

Does it play?
The lack of objective is difficult at first — the program challenges you to do nothing more than enjoy it, a not insignificant task. It requires patience and concentration to relax and appreciate the subtleties of each plankton. Once you’ve become comfortable with the behaviors of all the various plankton, you can spend some time enjoying them; using the Beatnes to create your own funky Super Mario Bros. theme, or the Hanenbow to create a serene image accompanied by xylophones and drops of water. The music will continue to change dynamically, responding to subsequent touches while abandoning older ones. After creating something you’re proud of, the most frustrating absence is the lack of a save function.

If the ability to save individual tracks would have been a great addition, the ability to save tracks and lay them over other saved tracks would have been an inspired one. Use Beatnes to make the beats, layer the otherwise worthless Volvoice on top with your own voice, and throw Lumiloops on top of the whole thing. A more open-ended musical creation system, while novel, would exceed the purity and elegance of each experience.

Perhaps the most used feature was the Audience mode, where each plankton will perform on their own. This mode was added in later as a demo, to explain how each plankton worked. After following his suggestion to try “placing your DS nearby and watch and listen to Electroplankton like a CD player.” Leaving the plankton to do their thing, occasionally lending a hand in their autonomous jam session, felt like a dynamic, shuffling iPod, where every new track was a surprise, greatly extending the title’s limited re-playability.

Ultimately, appreciation of Electroplankton is exceedingly subjective; musical and creative types will revel in the unexpected delights, both visual and aural, while gamers looking for a more traditional “game” will lament its shallow depth and aimlessness. The experience is ephemeral, captured for a moment, you and your handheld system. It’s a solo affair, best enjoyed with headphones, and certainly not enjoyed by all.”