Video Games

The video-gaming industry’s super event E3, which was held annually in May at the L.A. County Convention Center, is getting downsized.  According to Gamespot, it is also moving out of the LACC, and will be a feature for hundreds of fans, no longer thousands.  The idea here is that since the throng is so large and many games aren’t getting their proper due at the expo, the event should be restructured as to accommodate the products on display efficiently.  Quoth Gamespot:

One reason behind the downsizing of the show can be attributed to the dollar cost of the event to exhibitors, including the demands on companies to assign large numbers of staff to focus on the show, expenses associated with travel to the show, and the added expense to polish game builds and demos to be shown to attendees.

Namco Bandai has officially released their list of E3 games.  Check them out here:

PC Games
Mage Knight Apocalypse
Warhammer Mark of Chaos
Hallgate: London.

Franchises
Xenosaga Episode III: Also sprach Zarathustra
Tales of the Abyss
Pac-Man World Rally
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
Tekken: Dark Resurrection
The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch
Movile Ops: The One Year War

Licensed Properties
The Fast and the Furious
Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron
Charlie Brown’s All-Stars

Anime
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja
Zatchbell: Mamodo Fury
hack/G.U. Vol. 1: Rebirth
IGPX
One PIece: Grand Adventure
Eureka Seven Vol 1: The New Wave

Hit the jump for details on all of the games.
 

Popular Franchise Sequels:

Xenosaga EPISODE III: Also sprach Zarathustra (PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system)

A year has passed since Xenosaga® EPISODE II. Shion has resigned her post at Vector Industries after realizing that the company is deeply connected to the cause of the Gnosis phenomenon. She has thus joined forces with Scientia, an underground organization, in order to unveil Vector’s true objectives. Featuring more than eight hours of movies including voiced cut-scenes, Xenosaga EPISODE III: Also sprach Zarathustra is the exciting conclusion to the epic trilogy loved by RPG fans worldwide. Players will experience an updated battle system combining the best aspects of the first two games, while introducing the new Break system. Xenosaga EPISODE III: Also sprach Zarathustra will also feature an extensive mini-game complete with a mini-game map editor. Uncover the future of humanity this Fall 2006.

Tales of the Abyss (PlayStation 2)

Tales of the Abyss puts players in the role of Luke fon Fabre, sole heir to a family of aristocrats. He was kidnapped several years ago, and the shock left him with no memories of his life before. Luke is suddenly thrown into the outside world where he knows nothing of those who might be his friends, or those who already are his enemies. This epic story is told with some of the most realistic character models ever used in the Tales series and beautiful anime cut-scenes by Production I.G. Tales of the Abyss also features the Flexible Motion Battle System where the player controls characters in a free-roaming battlefield. Players can start their epic quest in Fall 2006.

 

Pac-Man World Rally (PlayStation 2, PSP™(PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo GameCube™, PC)

Pac-Man World Rally lets players race through a variety of environments from Pac-Man World as Pac-Man® , Pac Jr. and other beloved characters from past Namco classics. In one of the fastest and most exciting kart racing games ever, players will race for the win or fight it out in colorful Battle Arenas with special weapons, power-ups and a variety of Pac-Man powers. The race begins in Summer 2006.

 

Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (PSP system)

Featuring an entirely new world and story, this first PSP system installment of the popular Ace Combat franchise features a suite of highly detailed and realistically modeled licensed aircraft. New additions include original aircraft and wireless multiplayer, ensuring Ace Combat for the PSP system will be a memorable experience. Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception also features a Strategic AI System where mission objectives reflect a player’s decision. The PSP system takes flight with Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception in Fall 2006.

 

Tekken: Dark Resurrection (PSP system)

Tekken: Dark Resurrection is one of the most explosive fighting games to arrive on the PSP system. Featuring some of the most realistic graphics on a handheld platform, Tekken Dark: Resurrection will have 19 stages with destructible objects. Players will have the choice of two new characters - Lili and Dragunov - allowing for more than 30 characters to choose from. This extensive list of characters is possible through character customization with more than double the items seen in TEKKEN®5. Using the wireless connectivity of the PSP system, players can battle friends using their customized characters. The fighting genre will resurrect on the PSP system in Summer 2006.

 

The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch (PSP system)

The popular RPG series makes another appearance on the PSP system with The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch. In this game, players embark on a pilgrimage to find 5 shrines in Tirasweel, and discover a mystery left behind by a mysterious witch. Taking place in a beautiful world inhabited with rich details, players are quickly drawn into the storyline. Enemies appear on the world map, eliminating random battles. They can gauge the player’s strength and will “turn tail and run” if they sense the player is stronger than they are. The prophecy is set to take place in June 2006.

 

Mobile Opsâ„¢: The One Year War (Xbox 360)

Mobile Ops: The One Year War opens when rebel space colonies launch a brutal bid for independence from the Earth Federation. Advanced ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) has rendered range sensors and communications useless, resulting in the rise of new war machines called Mobile Suits. These ultimate instruments of destruction, capable of metal-clashing hand-to-hand combat, completely redefine modern warfare. Fight on foot, in vehicles and in Mobile Suits in a robust single and multiplayer experience through multiple scenarios and battlefields. Pick your side, choose your weapon and prove your supremacy.

 

PC Titles:

Mage Knight Apocalypse (PC)
A select group of heroes must defeat the Apocalypse Dragon, a seemingly unstoppable five-headed monstrosity that has been summoned by the forces of Chaos in Mage Knight Apocalypse. Five unique character classes can be selected - all with hundreds of weapons, armor and abilities to customize. These heroes will battle hundreds of unique enemies with brilliant special effects in a beautiful 3D world. Players will adventure as they’ve only before imagined as they explore with a free camera, engage in multiplayer missions. Dynamic enemy scaling and multiple alternate scenarios means near infinite replay-ability. For the PC in Summer 2006.

 

Warhammer: Mark of Chaos (PC)

Faithful to the Warhammer® world, Warhammer: Mark of Chaos puts the focus squarely on the battlefield with a real-time combat system that gives the player unprecedented customization and control of his army. This RTS focuses on armies and battling while de-emphasizing the tedious aspects of base and resource management. Players will also have the opportunity to use environments to their advantage, as well as customize Heroes and Champions with inventories and skill trees and challenge opponents in dueling. Choose from a variety of modes for both casual and competitive play coming to a battlefield on a PC near you in Fall 2006.

 

HELLGATE: LONDON (PC)
HELLGATE: LONDON combines the depth of role-playing games and action of first-person titles, while offering infinite playability with randomly created levels, items and events. The player creates a heroic character and then, completes quests and battles through innumerable hordes of demons to advance through experience levels and branching skill paths. A robust, flexible skill and spell system, highly customizable appearances and a massive variety of randomly generated equipment allow players to create their own unique hero.

 

Licensed Properties:

The Fast and The Furious (PlayStation 2, PSP system)

Inspired by Universal Pictures’ upcoming film, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, this game will immerse players in the underground world of drift racing - a form of racing that replaces simple drag racing with a rubber-burning, automotive art form that consists of an exhilarating balance of speeding and gliding through a heart-stopping course of hairpin turns and switchbacks. Set in a world related to, yet separate from, the movie, the game features a ground-breaking drift mechanic that makes drifting accessible to both beginning and veteran racing game drivers. The gameplay features evolutionary new systems like the Drift Indicator that make The Fast and the Furious the most accessible yet realistic drift game. Created through a licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group, this must-have racing title drifts to retailers in Summer 2006.

 

Snoopy vs. The Red Baron (PlayStation 2, PSP system, PC)

While snoozing atop his doghouse one day, Snoopy has a magical dream. Just like in the celebrated Peanuts® comic strip, he becomes a virtuoso flying ace, piloting his World War I bi-plane in a heroic attempt to foil the plans of his archenemy, the Red Baron. Join Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang as you soar above six vividly rendered worlds. Pilot Snoopy’s famous Sopwith Camel and other unique aircraft in perilous sky-high dogfights, air races and heart-pounding missions with dozens of comical weapons and gadgets at your disposal. Snoopy vs. The Red Baron takes to the skies in Fall 2006.

 

Charlie Brown’s All-Stars (PlayStation 2, PSP system)

The cast of Peanuts has come together in an entertaining and fun pick-up-and-play baseball game, Charlie Brown’s All-Stars. Players can help Charlie Brown end his 900 game losing streak as they play baseball with an incredible cast of more than 30 Peanuts characters. Players can also take part in any of four Party Games, including batting, fielding and pitching contests, as well as a good ol’ fashioned game of “Lucy Says.” As players progress through the game they will have the chance to enjoy classic Peanuts storylines, artwork and unlock tons of bonus content including every baseball-related Peanuts comic strip. Charlie Brown’s All-Stars steps up to the plate in Spring 2007. This title has not yet been concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

 

Anime Based Franchises:

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (PlayStation 2)

Experience the hit manga and TV series NARUTO like never before. Join Naruto and his friends in their Ninja Academy quests as they battle the best in the land. Fight as one of more than 12 playable characters in interactive stages while performing powerful ninjutsu moves. Players can battle in close combat, use weapons and call on support characters to assist with super attacks or drop off power-ups. Tons of replay value is added with unlockable features and more! Players can enroll in the Ninja Academy in June 2006.

 

Zatchbell!: Mamodo Fury (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)

Players join Zatch, Kiyo and other characters from the hit manga and TV series ZATCHBELL! as they battle to become the mighty mamodo king! This time, up to four players can choose from more than 20 different playable teams. With three gameplay modes including Story Mode, VS mode and Arcade Mode, players can experience all the action in environments faithful to the TV series. All voice acting is even done by the U.S. TV show cast. Zatchbell!: Mamodo Fury hits consoles Fall 2006.

 

.hack//G.U. Vol.1: Rebirth (PlayStation 2)

The hit video game and TV series returns to the epic fantasy online RPG stage on the PlayStation 2. Years after the events of the first .hack installment, the most popular MMORPG in the world has returned from the ashes as “The World: R2″. As Haseo the Terror of Death, players are thrown into his quest for revenge in his search for the mysterious PK (Player Killer) Tri-Edge. This time, players will interact in the real and virtual worlds with fellow “The World” players through various chats, mails, and fully voiced video news clips. Together with Haseo’s virtual partners, login to challenge and solve the mysteries of “The World”. hack//G.U. Vol.1: Rebirth arrives in stores in Fall 2006.

 

One Piece Grand Adventure (PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube)

Based on the popular comic and anime series, One Piece: Grand Adventure delivers battles that take place with a new free-moving Vs. Battle action system that will offer hours of entertainment. The game has also been completely revamped with the inclusion of an engrossing Adventure Mode, sending players on various mini-game filled quests as well as allowing players to create their very own band of roving pirates. One Piece: Grand Adventure hits stores in Fall 2006. This title has not yet been concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

 

IGPX (PlayStation 2)

The thrill of the popular Cartoon Network series IGPX, comes to the PlayStation 2 in an exhilarating fashion. Delivering the intense chase as you battle against your opponents, IGPX provides a type of thrill never before experienced. By creating a strategic scenario with a variety of formations, players are able to participate in combinations with partners that will deliver high-impact attacks. IGPX takes the flag on the PlayStation 2 in Fall 2006.

 

Eureka Seven Vol 1: The New Wave (PlayStation 2)

The original TV series comes to life on the PlayStation 2 with Eureka Seven Vol 1: The New Wave. Players assume the role of Sumner Sturgeon, a government agent looking to unravel a deep conspiracy, in this prequel to the animation that unfolds the events leading up to the Eureka Seven anime series. Featuring intense mecha combat and mind-boggling board riding action, Eureka Seven Vol 1: The New Wave is riding into stores in Summer 2006.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Q&A - Oblivion at E3 2005

Producer Todd Howard gives us the latest details on Oblivion, from what’s being shown at E3 to the improvements in the game.
Talk about timing. The last time Microsoft launched a console, Bethesda Softworks delivered the first major role-playing game for it. That game was The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, a sprawling RPG that let you explore a massive continent and follow your own path. Now with Microsoft preparing to deliver the Xbox 360 this year, Bethesda looks to deliver the first major role-playing game for that platform, in the form of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Like before, you’ll get to explore a massive world and follow your own path, but this time, you’ll get to do so with a graphical fidelity that was only dreamed of before. Eye candy aside, there are a lot of gameplay improvements in Oblivion as well, and we caught up with producer Todd Howard for the details being released at E3.

GameSpot: Could you give us an update on Oblivion’s progress? What’s on display at E3?

Todd Howard: We’re in the final phases of development. Most of the content is in the game, and we’re trying to polish it all up. We’ll show off all the major features of the game behind closed doors at E3. It’s a hard game to boil down to a short demo, but I think we’ve got something people will enjoy and hopefully come away with a good idea of what we’re tying to accomplish.

GS: What is the current state of the world of Tamriel in development and production? We know the world will be huge; how much of it is done? What kind of environments will we eventually see beyond the very impressive-looking forests shown in the early screenshots?

TH: The majority of it is built. Actually, the whole thing is built, but we’re going through and doing our “clutter pass.” That’s where we drop in all the stuff, like books, weapons, and thousands of forks and plates. We’re big fans of world clutter. Forest covers about half the game’s space, but even within the forest we have subregions of more tropical-based stuff going up to colder, more conifer-laden areas.

GS: Now that we’re here at E3, what can you tell us about the game’s quest system and overall gameplay direction? How will quests keep players from wandering off the beaten path and potentially losing track of what they’re supposed to do? How will other features, such as the compass, help with this, and how will they be integrated with quests? Will there be a book-style quest log like the one in Morrowind, as well as hand-drawn maps? Or will there be more-streamlined quest logs and in-game maps that can be sorted by area and modified with player notes?

TH: The game’s quest log is broken up by quest, so you see all your active and completed quests and what you have to accomplish next on that quest. It’s much more like the systems that are becoming common in games like Jade Empire or World of Warcraft. You can select any quest, and for the most part, it will highlight on the map exactly where you need to go to accomplish the next step. This mark is also noted on your compass. Some quests have hidden goals, such as “find the secret cave,” and that would not be marked. So we only mark things we want you to know about. For instance, someone gives you a quest to go to the fighter’s guild. The guild is instantly marked on your compass and the map as your quest target, so you can just walk to it without checking over any directions or maps. For the most part, you can follow quests by just following your compass. Again, many quests have alternate paths and secret parts, where nothing gets marked, and that’s open for you to discover.

GS: Tell us about the advancements in the combat system. We already know that the game will have an overhauled combat system that will be more reactive to player input for attacking and blocking with a shield (rather than relying entirely on skill checks). What can you tell us about the combat, about how different weapons will work? Will they be differentiated based on how they’re swung in battle, as in Morrowind? How will ranged combat with bows and other missile weapons work? And are there new tactics and strategies that will emerge in the game?
TH: Our E3 demo shows all of that quite well. We’ve fully integrated melee, blocking, magic, and stealth combat (bows) into one system. You can easily switch between all three, and it really makes the combat decisions interesting. With just melee, which we spent forever tweaking, you have different moves you can pull off depending on player skill and the weapon you have. We think we have a nice gameplay balance and feel between daggers, swords, axes, and larger two-handed weapons. Each feel very different to use in the game, the same way a pistol, rifle, or rocket launcher does in, say, Half-Life.

GS: Are there any details you can disclose about the game’s loot and item systems? Are there plans to let players enchant their own weapons with captured enemies’ souls like in Morrowind, or perhaps through other means, like alchemy? Will the game feature a similar alchemy system that will let players forage for components? Are there any other interesting new crafting features to share?

TH: Yes we have enchanting, alchemy, and the like again. We have always loved those types of things in our games. Especially now with the huge dense forests, alchemy is even more intriguing. We have lots of opportunities to put cool things growing around that you can use.

GS: What can you tell us about the character development system? Is it still a hybrid of both experience levels and advancing character skills? Are characters still defined by their primary skills, rather than by a specific character class? How much variation will different players end up seeing among their final characters?

TH: There are changes, but not as many in this area. I think the skill-based leveling system works very well. It can be repetitive, but it’s fun and rewards you for actually role-playing. We’ve tweaked it, there are different skills and such, and the balance is better, but it will still be a “use-based” system.

GS: Are there any new story details you can reveal to us for E3? We understand that the game takes place in Tamriel in the wake of the emperor’s death–an event that allows gates to Oblivion (hell, essentially) to open and allows foul creatures to cross into the world. Can you disclose more information about who the player character is and how the player character will affect the world?

TH: Not at this time; we’re keeping the story details under wraps other than that. I can say that each faction has its own story, which leads to a great resolution in each of them and a true feeling of accomplishment when you rise to the head of a guild.

GS: What can you tell us about the game’s factions? Which of the powerful guilds we’ve seen in Morrowind will make a comeback in Oblivion? How will players interact with the factions–will they be gaining standing within them and eventually opposing others, as in Morrowind? Will there be new consequences or a more-dynamic system that tracks your standing with guilds? Will there be any new benefits for attaining a high rank in a guild, such as access to new areas or quests?

TH: We have a number of guilds, highlighted by the big four: mages, fighters, thieves, and the Dark Brotherhood (the assassin’s guild). We want each guild to basically be its own game, with a complete story, power arc, and major rewards for reaching the top. Standing in one guild does not affect another for the most part. We like players to be able to experience them all, but obviously certain character classes have an easier go of one or another.

GS: Finally, is there anything else you’d like to add about Oblivion?

TH: I hope all the press get a chance to see it at E3 and everyone checks out the new trailer that’s being released. Thanks!

GS: Thank you very much, Todd.

Submissions are now being accepted for the Machinima Art Show at the Sex-in-Video-Games Conference. That’s right, video-games and sex have made their long-anticipated, unholy union and present themselves as the main course of discussion at the conference. Ten submissions will be chosen and viewed over the course of the two day event at the Lodge at Union Square, Kensington Park Hotel in San Francisco.

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is now accepting applications for their 2006 Game Developer’s Conference (GDC) Scholarship Program. To be considered for the scholarship, students first need to join the IGDA as a student member at the cost of $30 a year. Once you’ve become a member, simply fill out a basic form and write a few short essays (100 words or less) on several questions–it could earn you a fully paid ticket to the Conference beginning March 20th, 2006.

This is a must-do for any serious gamer whose prospects in life are in the gaming industry. The conference is one of the most prestigious in the world, boasting educational lectures and hordes of fun on the side.

However, there is another way to attend the conference for free. Even though this alternative will most assuredly demand that you work to the sweat, I can assure you that it does not in fact involve prostituting yourself. First of all, apply to be one of the hundred or so Conference Associates (CAs). As a CA, it is your duty to spend 20 hours during the entire conference doing grunt work (think guarding doors, managing lines, stuffing goodie bags, entering information into databases, and other menial tasks). And what do you get for all this work? Quite a bundle:

+ The program’s managers (Tim Brengle and Ian MacKenzie) run a really tight ship. You’ll learn a lot from them.

+ Lunch and breakfast Monday through Friday are included

+ CAs receive full Giga pass privileges ($1325 value) when not on-duty

+ Access to all events and parties including the IGF and Game Developers Choice Awards (part of the Giga pass)

+ Reduced hotel costs by sharing rooms with other CAs

[via Joystiq]